Absorbent article having a waist gasketing element

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles having a waist gasketing element, with the gasketing element having an adhesive zone and one or more adhesive-free zones. At least a portion of the waist gasketing element is adhesively attached to a chassis of the absorbent article. Additionally, a portion of the waist gasketing element is mechanically attached to a portion of the absorbent article. The bio-based content of the absorbent article is from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/930,181, filed on Nov. 4, 2019; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/855,001, filed on May 31, 2019; U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/930,198, filed on Nov. 4,2019; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/930,808, filedon Nov. 5, 2019, which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to disposable absorbent articles having awaist gasketing element, and more specifically to waist gasketingelements having an adhesive free-zone and an adhesive zone. The presentdisclosure also relates to disposable absorbent articles havingbio-based content and other environmentally friendly features.

BACKGROUND

Various types of articles, such as for example, diapers and otherabsorbent articles, have components that include elastic parts, such asfor example, waistbands. In some configurations, waistbands may beprovided as a single layer of elastic material, such as an elastic film.In some configurations, the waistbands may be provided as an elasticlaminate that may include elastic material bonded to one or moresubstrates such as nonwovens, wherein the elastic material may includean elastic film and/or elastic strands. Providing an elasticatedwaistband at the top edge of the disposable absorbent article can haveimproved fit and containment. An elasticated waistband can help containexudates by providing increased pressure between the skin and thearticle to form a seal that helps to prevent exudates from exiting theproduct in the waist area. Additionally, elasticated waistbands canphysically close gaps that may otherwise be formed when the wearer movesinto positions, such as bending forward at the waist.

Waistbands can be located at one or both of the front and back edges ofabsorbent articles. In closed form “pant” articles, waistbands can becontinuously formed to provide a waistband around the entire top edge ofthe article. In some articles, a waistband can be provided on the backonly and spaced down from the edge of the article to close gaps in therear part of the article. Articles providing a waistband that is spaceddown from the edge typically exhibit larger ruffles at the top edge ofthe product as compared to articles having a waistband that iscoterminous with the edge of the article. These ruffles can appear tocaregivers as gaps from which exudates could leak even though the waistmay close the gaps just below this region. Therefore, articles withwaistbands that are coterminous with the edge of the article are may bepreferred. However, some caregivers perceive waistbands that are spaceddown from the edge of the article as being better leakage barriers.

Elasticated waistbands can comprise a variety of elastic materials suchas stranded elastics, films, elastic nonwovens materials, elastic glues,and so forth. These materials can have a high coefficient of frictionand/or can be tacky. Such elastic portions of the materials can belaminated to another material with a lower coefficient of friction, suchas a polypropylene nonwoven, to protect the wearer from direct contactwith the elastic material. The materials can be laminated together witha variety of means, including adhesively bonding, mechanically bonding,thermally bonding, or other suitable techniques. For some absorbentarticles, the material laminated with the elastic material is materialalready existing for another reason in an absorbent article, such as atopsheet, or for other absorbent articles it could be a materialspecifically designed to cover the elastic in the waistband region only.Therefore, with regard to waistbands that are externally attached to theinside surface (i.e., body-facing side) of the article, a materialspecifically designed to cover the elastic material can be used.Therefore, it can be beneficial to provide a waistband that is bothcovered with a material and provided at the longitudinal edges of thearticle.

Waistbands that are attached to the external, inside surface of thearticle can be attached using a variety of methods, includingmechanically attached, adhesively attached, thermally attached,co-formed, and so forth. The most typical way in the industry to attacha waistband to the external surface is adhesive bonding. Adhesiveequipment applications typically cost less than comparable mechanicalapplications, are readily known in the industry, and perform well onmost waistband applications, particularly for waistbands that arepositioned on an internal surface of the diaper (i.e. sandwiched) byexisting materials such as topsheet and or backsheet. Sandwiching thewaistband ensures that any of the adhesive applied to attach thewaistband is covered and is not in direct contact with the user.

With externally applied waistbands, however, problems can occur that aredetrimental to the efficacy of the absorbent article and have not beenresolved completely within high speed absorbent article manufacturingapplications. Most predominantly, a portion of the adhesive can becomeexposed to the user surface of the article and stick to the user duringuse and removal of the product, or otherwise make it difficult for theproduct to be prepared for application to the user. The adhesive canbecome exposed through a variety of ways. For instance, variations inthe waistband attachment can lead to the lateral edges (i.e., left andright side edges) folding over or rolling up thereby exposing theunderside of the waistbands and the adhesive. Further, the adhesivelyattached waistbands can snag on various componentry of the equipmentduring subsequent manufacturing or stick to various processes. Inaddition, adhesives can take time to solidify in the manufacturingprocess. If there are other processes downstream of the waistbandattachment process, there may not be sufficient time for the adhesive tosolidify and thus, waistbands can be easily pulled off of the article inthe process with a very low force. Additionally, many times the adhesiveis applied to a layer of the article such as the topsheet, and variationrelated to attaching the waistband, particularly in high speedmanufacturing processes, can lead to an edge of the adhesive becomingexposed on one side or the other.

An approach to address the issues created with adhesive bonding ofexternally applied waistbands is to mechanically attach them. Amechanical attachment process can bond the waistband to the articleimmediately so there is smaller risk that the waistband will fall offduring subsequent processing. In addition, mechanical attachments arenot tacky, so even if a portion of the waistband rolls up, it will notstick to the user. Nevertheless, mechanical attachment presents severalother issues, particularly in the central absorbent region of anarticle—especially when waistbands are attached to the chassis after theabsorbent core and the chassis have already been combined. For instance,mechanical attachment can create holes that can lead to leaks of bodilyexudates through the outer cover of the absorbent article. Variations inthe process or the equipment manufacture can also make it difficult tocreate adequate bonds. In addition, mechanical bonding over theabsorbent core of the absorbent article can be ineffective if themechanical bond contacts airfelt or absorbent gel material (AGM) that isdistributed within the absorbent core. Airfelt is wood pulp based anddoes not melt and does not bond well to the rest of the polymers in thearticle, leading to poor bonding. AGM can burn and become dark whensubjected to a mechanical bonding process and also does not chemicallypair well with other polymers, such as polypropylene. As a result, poorbonding or no bonding can occur.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an externally appliedwaistband that addresses the problems associated with adhesively bondingat the edges, namely, exposed adhesive, and premature falling off in theprocess. It would also be advantageous to have an externally appliedwaistband that addresses the problems associated with mechanicallybonding near the absorbent core, namely, holes in the outer cover andburnt spots. It would further be advantageous to have an externallyapplied waistband that is attached at or near the longitudinal edges ofthe article to prevent large gathers that may be perceived as gaps andthat is laminated to a nonwoven material to protect the user from thehigh friction materials of the elastomer.

Further, the vast majority of commercially available disposableabsorbent articles contain a significant amount of petrochemicals. Forexample, most mass-produced absorbent articles include fibrous outerlayers (e.g., topsheet, outer cover) that contain at least somepetroleum-based fibers and a liquid barrier layer made from apetroleum-based film. This segment of disposable absorbent articles alsotypically contains lotions on the wearer facing surface, and includesfragrances or perfumes for positive scent experiences. Some users wouldprefer a more “natural” and environmentally friendly product. Thus,there is a need for absorbent articles that contain natural or bio-basedmaterials and/or that are devoid of unwanted materials.

SUMMARY

In one form, a disposable absorbent article comprises a front waistregion, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between thefirst and second waist regions; a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;a front waist edge, a back waist edge, a first side edge extendinglongitudinally and a second side edge extending longitudinally; and achassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent coredisposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposableabsorbent article also comprises a waist gasketing element comprising aproximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge, and a secondside edge, and an elastic material. The disposable absorbent articlealso comprises a leg gasketing element comprising a proximal end edge, adistal end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an elasticmaterial. At least a portion of the waist gasketing element isadhesively attached to the chassis, wherein at least a portion of thewaist gasketing element is mechanically attached to the chassis, andwherein the waist gasketing element comprises an adhesive zone, a firstadhesive-free zone, and a second adhesive-free zone. The bio-basedcontent of the absorbent article is from about 5% to about 100%, orabout 10% to about 50%, using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

In another form a disposable absorbent article comprises a front waistregion, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between thefront and back waist regions; a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; afront waist edge, a back waist edge, a first side edge extendinglongitudinally and a second side edge extending longitudinally; and achassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent coredisposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposableabsorbent article also comprises a waist gasketing element comprising aproximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge and a secondside edge, and an elastic material. The disposable absorbent articlealso comprises a leg gasketing element comprising a proximal end edge, adistal end edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, and anelastic material. At least a portion of the waist gasketing element isadhesively attached to the chassis and wherein at least a portion of thewaist gasketing element is mechanically attached to the leg gasketingelement, wherein the waist gasketing element comprises an adhesive zone,a first adhesive-free zone, and a second adhesive-free zone. Theabsorbent article may be free of chlorine, perfume, lotion, green number7 dye, and non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene.

The disposable absorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprisebio-based content, may comprise other environmentally friendly features,and/or may be devoid of unwanted materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a partially cut away plan view of an absorbent article in theform of a taped absorbent article that may include one or more waistgasketing elements in accordance with the present disclosure with theportion of the absorbent article that faces away from a wearer orientedtowards the viewer.

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1A that mayinclude one or more waist gasketing elements in accordance with thepresent disclosure with the portion of the absorbent article that facestoward a wearer oriented towards the viewer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a back waist region of an absorbent articlewith the portion of the absorbent article that faces toward a weareroriented towards the viewer.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of absorbent article taken along line3-3 in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 depicts waist gasketing elements positioned in front and backwaist regions of an absorbent article with the portion of the absorbentarticle that faces toward a wearer oriented towards the viewer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of absorbent article taken along line5-5 in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a back waist region of an absorbent articlewith the portion of the absorbent article that faces toward a weareroriented towards the viewer in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a waist gasketingelement attached to a top sheet that is taken along a lateral axis of anexample absorbent article.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a laminate that can be cut in thecross direction to form waist gasketing elements.

FIG. 9 depicts the laminate of FIG. 8 subsequent to a knife cut in thecross direction, thereby forming waist gasketing elements, which areshown spaced apart in the machine direction.

FIG. 10 schematically depicts an example waist gasketing laminate priorto separation at a cutting locations.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of example waist gasketing elementtaken in the machine direction.

FIG. 12 depicts the waist gasketing element from FIG. 11 in a relaxed,contracted condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure will now bedescribed to provide an overall understanding of the principles of thestructure, function, manufacture, and use of the absorbent articleshaving a waist gasketing element disclosed herein. One or more examplesof these non-limiting forms are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatabsorbent articles having a waist gasketing element described herein andillustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example formsand that the scope of the various non-limiting forms of the presentdisclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated ordescribed in connection with one non-limiting form may be combined withthe features of other non-limiting forms. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The following term explanations may be useful in understanding thepresent disclosure:

“Absorbent article” is used herein to refer to consumer products whoseprimary function is to absorb and retain soils and wastes. Absorbentarticles can comprise sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners,interlabial devices, wound dressings, wipes, disposable diapersincluding taped diapers and diaper pants, inserts for diapers with areusable outer cover, adult incontinent diapers, adult incontinent pads,and adult incontinent pants. The term “disposable” is used herein todescribe absorbent articles which generally are not intended to belaundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (e.g.,they are intended to be discarded after a single use and may also beconfigured to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in anenvironmentally compatible manner).

The term “feminine hygiene articles” refers to disposable absorbentarticles used by women for catamenial protection. Such feminine hygienearticles may include sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products,incontinence devices, and pantiliners. Non-limiting examples of pantyliners and sanitary napkins include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,324,246; 4,463,045; 4,342,314; 4,556,146; 4,589,876; 4,687,478;4,950,264; 5,009,653; 5,267,992; and 6,004,893, which are allincorporated by reference herein.

An “elastic,” “elastomer” or “elastomeric” refers to materialsexhibiting elastic properties, which include any material that uponapplication of a force to its relaxed, initial length can stretch orelongate to an elongated length more than 10% greater than its initiallength and will substantially recover back to about its initial lengthupon release of the applied force.

As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s), which in turn are affixed to the other element.

The term “substrate” is used herein to describe a material which isprimarily two-dimensional (i.e. in an XY plane) and whose thickness (ina Z direction) is relatively small (i.e. 1/10 or less) in comparison toits length (in an X direction) and width (in a Y direction).Non-limiting examples of substrates include a web, layer or layers offibrous materials, nonwovens, and films and foils such as polymericfilms or metallic foils. These materials may be used alone or maycomprise two or more layers laminated together. As such, a web is asubstrate.

The term “nonwoven” refers herein to a material made from continuous(long) filaments (fibers) and/or discontinuous (short) filaments(fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, and thelike. In some configurations, a nonwoven may comprise a polyolefin basednonwoven, including but not limited to nonwovens having polypropylenefibers and/or polyethylene fibers and/or bicomponent fibers comprising apolyolefin and/or blends of fibers containing cotton or other organicmaterials. Nonlimiting examples of suitable fibers include spunbond,spunlaid, meltblown, spunmelt, solvent-spun, electrospun, carded, filmfibrillated, melt-film fibrillated, air-laid, dry-laid, wet-laid staplefibers, hydroentangled, and other nonwoven web materials formed in partor in whole of polymer fibers as known in the art, and workablecombinations thereof. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filamentpattern. It is to be appreciated that nonwovens having various basisweights can be used in accordance with the present disclosure. Forexample, some nonwovens may have a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm,12 gsm, 16 gsm, 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 40 gsm, or 65 gsm. Somenonwovens may have basis weights of about 8 gsm to about 65 gsm,specifically reciting all 1 gsm increments within the above-recitedranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

It is to be appreciated that films having various basis weights can beused in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, some filmsmay have a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm, 12 gsm, 16 gsm, 20 gsm,25 gsm, 30 gsm, 40 gsm, or 60 gsm. Some films may have basis weight ofabout 8 gsm to about 60 gsm, specifically reciting all 1 gsm incrementswithin the above-recited ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby.

The term “machine direction” (MD) is used herein to refer to thedirection of material flow through a process. In addition, relativeplacement and movement of material can be described as flowing in themachine direction through a process from upstream in the process todownstream in the process.

The term “cross direction” (CD) is used herein to refer to a directionthat is generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

The term “taped diaper” (also referred to as “open diaper”) refers todisposable absorbent articles having an initial front waist region andan initial back waist region that are not fastened, pre-fastened, orconnected to each other as packaged, prior to being applied to thewearer. A taped diaper may be folded about the lateral centerline withthe interior of one waist region in surface to surface contact with theinterior of the opposing waist region without fastening or joining thewaist regions together. Example taped diapers are disclosed in varioussuitable configurations in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,897, 5,360,420,5,599,335, 5,643,588, 5,674,216, 5,702,551, 5,968,025, 6,107,537,6,118,041, 6,153,209, 6,410,129, 6,426,444, 6,586,652, 6,627,787,6,617,016, 6,825,393, and 6,861,571; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos.2013/0072887 A1; 2013/0211356 A1; and 2013/0306226 A1, which are allincorporated by reference herein.

The term “pant” (also referred to as “training pant”, “pre-closeddiaper”, “diaper pant”, “pant diaper”, and “pull-on diaper”) refersherein to disposable absorbent articles having a continuous perimeterwaist opening and continuous perimeter leg openings designed for infantor adult wearers. A pant can be configured with a continuous or closedwaist opening and at least one continuous, closed, leg opening prior tothe article being applied to the wearer. A pant can be preformed orpre-fastened by various techniques including, but not limited to,joining together portions of the article using any refastenable and/orpermanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat bonds, pressure welds,adhesives, cohesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.). A pant can bepreformed anywhere along the circumference of the article in the waistregion (e.g., side fastened or seamed, front waist fastened or seamed,rear waist fastened or seamed). Example diaper pants in variousconfigurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,940,464; 5,092,861;5,246,433; 5,569,234; 5,897,545; 5,957,908; 6,120,487; 6,120,489;7,569,039 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0233082 A1; 2005/0107764A1, 2012/0061016 A1, 2012/0061015 A1; 2013/0255861 A1; 2013/0255862 A1;2013/0255863 A1; 2013/0255864 A1; and 2013/0255865 A1, all of which areincorporated by reference herein.

“Animal-based fibers” includes wool, hair, and secretions, such as silk.

“Bio-based content” refers to the amount of carbon from a renewableresource in a material as a percent of the mass of the total organiccarbon in the material, as determined by ASTM D6866-10, method B. Inorder to apply the methodology of ASTM D6866-10 to determine thebio-based content of any absorbent article or component thereof, asample can be ground into particulates less than about 20 mesh usingknown grinding methods (e.g., WILEY mill), and a representative sampleof suitable mass taken from the randomly mixed particles. Alternatively,if the sample is merely a layer of material, then the layer itself canbe analyzed without the need for a pre-grinding step. Note that anycarbon from inorganic sources such as calcium carbonate is not includedin determining the bio-based content of the material. See additionalinformation below for measuring bio-sourced content in polymers.Components of the absorbent articles described in this specification canat least partially be comprised of bio-sourced content as described inthe following U.S. Published Patent Applications Nos.: U.S.2007/0219521, U.S. 2011/0139658, U.S. 2011/0139657, U.S. 2011/0152812,U.S. 2011/0139662, and U.S. 2011/0139659.

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be “devoid of” or “freeof” particular undesirable materials, ingredients, or characteristics insome forms. “Devoid of” “free of,” and the like, as those terms are usedherein, can mean the absorbent article does not have more than traceamounts of background levels of the material, ingredient, orcharacteristic following these qualifiers; the amount of the material oringredient does not cause harm or irritation that consumers typicallyassociate with the material or ingredient; or the material or ingredientwas not added to the absorbent article intentionally. In some instances,“devoid of” and “free of” can mean there is no measurable amount of thematerial or ingredient. For example, the absorbent article in some formscontain no measurable amounts of chlorine—that is, the article ischaracterized as being totally chlorine free.

“Naturally-derived” materials includes materials that are partiallychemically altered without petroleum components and that have beenminimally processed such that they not be altered to such an extent thatthey are substantially less biodegradable or more toxic.

“Natural fibers” refers to elongated substances produced by plants andanimals and includes animal-based fibers and plant-based fibers, asthose categories are described herein. Natural fibers, as that term isused herein, include fibers harvested without any post-harvest treatmentstep as well as those having a post-treatment step, such as, forexample, washing, scouring, bleaching.

“Plant-based fibers”, as that term is used herein, includes bothharvested fibers and synthetic fibers that comprise bio-based content.Harvested plant-based fibers include cellulosic matter, such as woodpulp; seed hairs, such as cotton; stem (or bast) fibers, such as flaxand hemp; leaf fibers, such as sisal; and husk fibers, such as coconut.

“Renewable resource” refers to a natural resource that can bereplenished within a 100 year time frame. The resource may bereplenished naturally, or via agricultural techniques. Renewableresources include plants, animals, fish, bacteria, fungi, and forestryproducts. They may be naturally occurring hybrids, or geneticallyengineered organisms.

Validation of Polymers Derived from Renewable Resources

A suitable validation technique is through ¹⁴C analysis. A small amountof the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is radioactive. This ¹⁴C carbondioxide is created when nitrogen is struck by an ultra-violet lightproduced neutron, causing the nitrogen to lose a proton and form carbonof molecular weight 14 which is immediately oxidized to carbon dioxide.This radioactive isotope represents a small but measurable fraction ofatmospheric carbon. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is cycled by green plantsto make organic molecules during photosynthesis. The cycle is completedwhen the green plants or other forms of life metabolize the organicmolecules, thereby producing carbon dioxide which is released back tothe atmosphere. Virtually all forms of life on Earth depend on thisgreen plant production of organic molecules to grow and reproduce.Therefore, the ¹⁴C that exists in the atmosphere becomes part of alllife forms, and their biological products. In contrast, fossil fuelbased carbon does not have the signature radiocarbon ratio ofatmospheric carbon dioxide.

Assessment of the renewably based carbon in a material can be performedthrough standard test methods. Using radiocarbon and isotope ratio massspectrometry analysis, the bio-based content of materials can bedetermined. ASTM International, formally known as the American Societyfor Testing and Materials, has established a standard method forassessing the bio-based content of materials. The ASTM method isdesignated ASTM D6866-10.

The application of ASTM D6866-10 to derive a “bio-based content” isbuilt on the same concepts as radiocarbon dating, but without use of theage equations. The analysis is performed by deriving a ratio of theamount of organic radiocarbon (¹⁴C) in an unknown sample to that of amodern reference standard. The ratio is reported as a percentage withthe units “pMC” (percent modern carbon).

The modern reference standard used in radiocarbon dating is a NIST(National Institute of Standards and Technology) standard with a knownradiocarbon content equivalent approximately to the year AD 1950. AD1950 was chosen since it represented a time prior to thermo-nuclearweapons testing which introduced large amounts of excess radiocarboninto the atmosphere with each explosion (termed “bomb carbon”). The AD1950 reference represents 100 pMC.

“Bomb carbon” in the atmosphere reached almost twice normal levels in1963 at the peak of testing and prior to the treaty halting the testing.Its distribution within the atmosphere has been approximated since itsappearance, showing values that are greater than 100 pMC for plants andanimals living since AD 1950. It's gradually decreased over time withtoday's value being near 107.5 pMC. This means that a fresh biomassmaterial such as corn could give a radiocarbon signature near 107.5 pMC.

Combining fossil carbon with present day carbon into a material willresult in a dilution of the present day pMC content. By presuming 107.5pMC represents present day biomass materials and 0 pMC representspetroleum derivatives, the measured pMC value for that material willreflect the proportions of the two component types. A material derived100% from present day soybeans would give a radiocarbon signature near107.5 pMC. If that material was diluted with 50% petroleum derivatives,for example, it would give a radiocarbon signature near 54 pMC (assumingthe petroleum derivatives have the same percentage of carbon as thesoybeans).

A bio-based content result is derived by assigning 100% equal to 107.5pMC and 0% equal to 0 pMC. In this regard, a sample measuring 99 pMCwill give an equivalent bio-based content value of 92%.

Assessment of the materials described herein can be done in accordancewith ASTM D6866. The mean values quoted in this report encompasses anabsolute range of 6% (plus and minus 3% on either side of the bio-basedcontent value) to account for variations in end-component radiocarbonsignatures. It is presumed that all materials are present day or fossilin origin and that the bio-based content result is the amount ofbio-based component “present” in the material.

For the purposes of a specific illustration, FIGS. 1A and 1B show anexample of an absorbent article 100 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. In particular, FIG. 1A shows one example of a plan view ofan absorbent article 100 configured as a taped diaper 100T, with theportion of the absorbent article that faces away from a wearer orientedtowards the viewer. FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the absorbent article100 with the portion of the absorbent article that faces toward a weareroriented towards the viewer. The taped diaper 100T shown in FIGS. 1A and1B includes an absorbent chassis 102, first and second rear side panels104 and 106; and first and second front side panels 108 and 110.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 and the chassis102 each include a first waist region 116, a second waist region 118,and a crotch region 119 disposed intermediate the first and second waistregions. The first waist region 116 may be configured as a front waistregion, and the second waist region 118 may be configured as a backwaist region. In some embodiments, the length of each of the front waistregion, back waist region, and crotch region may be ⅓ of the length ofthe absorbent article 100. The absorbent article may also include alaterally extending front waist edge 120 in the front waist region 116and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist edge122 in the back waist region 118. To provide a frame of reference forthe present discussion, the diaper 100T in FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown witha longitudinal axis 124 and a lateral axis 126. The longitudinal axis124 may extend through a midpoint of the front waist edge 120 andthrough a midpoint of the back waist edge 122. And the lateral axis 126may extend through a midpoint of a first longitudinal or right side edge128 and through a midpoint of a second longitudinal or left side edge130.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 includes aninterior surface 132 (i.e., wearer facing), and an outer, exteriorsurface 134 (i.e., garment facing). As such, it is also to beappreciated that the various components of the absorbent articledescribed below may each include inner, wearer facing surfaces 132, andan outer, garment facing surfaces 134. The chassis 102 may include abacksheet 136 and a topsheet 138. The chassis 102 may also include anabsorbent assembly 140, including an absorbent core 142, disposedbetween a portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. Asdiscussed in more detail below, the absorbent article 100 may alsoinclude other features, such as leg elastics and/or leg gasketingelements, waist gasketing element(s), and/or flaps, e.g., side panelsand/or ears, to enhance the fits around the legs and waist of thewearer, to enhance the fit around the legs of the wearer. Any of thenonwovens of the various components of the absorbent articles disclosedherein may comprise non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the periphery of the chassis 102 may bedefined by the first longitudinal side edge 128. The second longitudinalside edge 130, a first laterally extending end edge 144 disposed in thefirst waist region 116, and a second laterally extending end edge 146disposed in the second waist region 118. Both side edges 128 and 130extend longitudinally between the first end edge 144 and the second endedge 146. As shown in FIG. 1A, the laterally extending end edges 144 and146 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist edge 120in the front waist region 116 and a portion of the longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending back waist edge 122 in the back waistregion 118. The distance between the first lateral end edge 144 and thesecond lateral end edge 146 may define a pitch length, PL, of thechassis 102. When the absorbent article 100 is worn on the lower torsoof a wearer, the front waist edge 120 and the back waist edge 122 mayencircle a portion of the waist of the wearer. At the same time, theside edges 128 and 130 may encircle at least a portion of the legs ofthe wearer. The crotch region 119 may be generally positioned betweenthe legs of the wearer with the absorbent core 142 extending from thefront waist region 116 through the crotch region 119 to the back waistregion 118.

It is to also be appreciated that a portion or the whole of theabsorbent article 100 may also be made laterally extensible. Theadditional extensibility may help allow the absorbent article 100 toconform to the body of a wearer during movement by the wearer. Theadditional extensibility may also help, for example, the user of theabsorbent article 100, including a chassis 102 having a particular sizebefore extension, to extend the front waist region 116, the back waistregion 118, or both waist regions of the absorbent article 100 and/orchassis 102 to provide additional body coverage for wearers of differingsize, i.e., to tailor the diaper to an individual wearer. Such extensionof the waist region or regions may give the absorbent article agenerally hourglass shape, so long as the crotch region is extended to arelatively lesser degree than the waist region or regions, and mayimpart a tailored appearance to the article when it is worn.

As previously mentioned, the absorbent article 100 may include abacksheet 136. The backsheet 136 may also define the outer surface 134of the chassis 102. The backsheet 136 may be impervious to fluids (e.g.,menses, urine, and/or runny feces) and may be manufactured in part froma thin plastic film, although other flexible, liquid imperviousmaterials may also be used. The backsheet 136 may prevent the exudatesabsorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wetting articles whichcontact the absorbent article 100, such as bedsheets, pajamas andundergarments. The backsheet 136 may also comprise a woven or nonwovenmaterial, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene orpolypropylene, and/or multi-layer or composite materials comprising afilm and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and anouter nonwoven layer). The backsheet 136 may also comprise anelastomeric film. An example backsheet 136 may be a polyethylene filmhaving a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051 mm(2.0 mils). Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by ClopayCorporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation BR-120 and BR-121and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind., under thedesignation XP-39385. The backsheet 136 may also be embossed and/ormatte-finished to provide a more clothlike appearance. Further, thebacksheet 136 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core (i.e.,the backsheet is breathable) while still preventing exudates frompassing through the backsheet 136. The size of the backsheet 136 may bedictated by the size of the absorbent core 142 and/or particularconfiguration or size of the absorbent article 100. The backsheet filmsmay comprise bio-based materials, such as, for example, bio-basedpolyethylene. The backsheet may be joined to an outer cover material.The outer cover material (sometimes referred to as a backsheet nonwoven)may comprise one or more nonwoven materials joined to the backsheet andthat covers the backsheet. The outer cover material is typically theoutermost layer facing outward—i.e., towards garments or undergarmentswhen present and away from the wearer's skin. A caregiver interactssignificantly with the outer cover material when holding/comforting thewearer and/or changing the absorbent articles. The outer cover materialforms at least a portion of the garment-facing surface of the absorbentarticle and effectively “covers” the backsheet so that film is notpresent on the garment-facing surface. The outer cover material maycomprise a bond pattern, apertures, and/or three-dimensional features.The outer cover material may comprise a carded nonwoven or amulti-layered nonwoven comprising carded layers and one or more spunbondlayers. The outer cover material may also comprise only spunbond layers.

The nonwoven or nonwovens in the outer cover material can comprise acombination of plant-based fibers and synthetic fibers that are notplant-based. For example, the nonwoven can comprise both polypropylenefibers and cotton fibers; see, for example, U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. U.S. 2017/0203542. The cotton content can range fromabout 3% to about 100%, about 3% to about 50%, about 5% to about 50%,about 5% to about 100%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 50%,15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 100%, about 14.5% to about 50%, orabout 14.5% to about 100%, by weight of the nonwoven. When syntheticfibers such as polypropylene are employed, it is preferred that thepolypropylene be non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers.

The outer cover material may comprise a hydroentangled, dual layernonwoven web, wherein one layer comprises a polypropylene spunbond webhaving a basis weight in the range of from about 5 to about 15 gsm, andthe other layer comprises a carded nonwoven web comprising cotton fibersand a basis weight in the range of from about 10 to about 25 gsm. Theouter cover material may comprise an air through carded nonwoven webcomprising a blend of polypropylene fibers and cotton fibers. The cottonfibers can be included in these nonwoven webs in an amount of about 5%,10%, or 15% to about 20%, 30%, or 50%, by weight of the overall nonwovenweb.

Also described above, the absorbent article 100 may include a topsheet138. The topsheet 138 may also define all or part of the inner surface132 of the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 may be compliant, soft feeling,and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. It may be elasticallystretchable in one or two directions. Further, the topsheet 138 may beliquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runnyfeces) to penetrate through its thickness. A topsheet 138 may bemanufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwovenmaterials; apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films; aperturednonwovens, porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplasticfilms; and thermoplastic scrims. Woven and nonwoven materials maycomprise natural fibers such as wood or cotton fibers; synthetic fiberssuch as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers; orcombinations thereof. If the topsheet 138 includes fibers, the fibersmay be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, orotherwise processed as is known in the art.

Topsheets 138 may be selected from high loft nonwoven topsheets,apertured film topsheets and apertured nonwoven topsheets. Aperturedfilm topsheets may be pervious to bodily exudates, yet substantiallynon-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass backthrough and rewet the wearer's skin. Exemplary apertured films mayinclude those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,097; 5,916,661;6,545,197; and 6,107,539, which are all incorporated by referenceherein.

The topsheet may comprise a nonwoven having one or multiple formedlayers comprising plant-based fibers other than wood pulp. The nonwovencan be made through well-known techniques; for example, the nonwoven canbe a spunbond, or be a carded and air-through or calendar bondednonwoven. The plant-based fibers can also be spun fibers made at leastin part from bio-based materials. For example, the plant-based fiberscan be spun starch fibers or bio-based polyolefin spun fibers. Theplant-based fibers can be single component fibers or multi-componentfibers, wherein less than all of the components are plant-based fibers.One example is a bi-component fiber comprising a polyester corecomponent and a bio-based polyethylene sheath component.

The topsheet may be a dual layer, spunbond nonwoven web. Each of thelayers may have a basis weight from about 10 gsm to about 25 gsm orabout 10 gsm to about 35 gsm. One layer may have similar or differenthydrophilicity/hydrophobicity profiles compared to the other layer. Forexample, a wearer facing layer of the topsheet may be hydrophobic and agarment-facing layer of the topsheet may be hydrophilic. In anotherform, the topsheet may be an air-through carded nonwoven web comprisinga blend (e.g., 50-50 weight percent) of polyester fibers and bio-basedpolyethylene fibers. The basis weight of such a nonwoven is typicallyabout 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 35 gsm, or 40 gsm.

Many commercially-available absorbent articles comprise a skin carecomposition on at least a portion of the topsheet; and thesecompositions tend to contain petrolatum or other petroleum-basedmaterials as their main component. The topsheet may be devoid of alotion or skin care composition. However, a skin care composition orlotion can optionally be added to the topsheet. And if one is, it ispreferred, but not required, to employ a composition based upon naturalor naturally-derived materials such as fats, oils or waxes, for example.The optional lotions can comprise vegetable oils, algae oils, bacterialderived oils, and animal fats, combinations of theses, and the like.Representative examples of vegetable oils include argan oil, canola oil,rapeseed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palmoil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soy-bean oil, sunflower oil,high oleoyl soy-bean oil, high oleoyl sunflower oil, linseed oil, palmkernel oil, tung oil, castor oil, high oloeyl sunflower oil, high oleoylsoybean oil, high erucic rape oils, Jatropha oil, combinations oftheses, and the like. Representative examples of animal fats includelard, tallow, chicken fat, yellow grease, fish oil, combinations ofthese, and the like. A representative example of a synthesized oilincludes tall oil, which is a byproduct of wood pulp manufacture.Additional suitable lotion compositions derived from renewable resourcesare disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0144239.

As mentioned above, the absorbent article 100 may also include anabsorbent assembly 140 that is joined to the chassis 102. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a laterallyextending front edge 148 in the front waist region 116 and may have alongitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge 150 in theback waist region 118. The absorbent assembly 140 may have alongitudinally extending right side edge 152 and may have a laterallyopposing and longitudinally extending left side edge 154, both absorbentassembly side edges 152 and 154 may extend longitudinally between thefront edge 148 and the back edge 150. The absorbent assembly 140 mayadditionally include one or more absorbent cores 142 or absorbent corelayers. The absorbent core 142 may be at least partially disposedbetween the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136 and may be formed invarious sizes and shapes that are compatible with the diaper. Exemplaryabsorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the presentdisclosure are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402;4,888,231; and 4,834,735, which are all incorporated by referenceherein.

Some absorbent core embodiments may comprise fluid storage cores thatcontain reduced amounts of cellulosic airfelt material. For instance,such cores may comprise less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even1% of cellulosic airfelt material. Such a core may comprise primarilyabsorbent gelling material in amounts of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%,85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100%, where the remainder of the corecomprises a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such cores, microfiberglues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,599,335; 5,562,646; 5,669,894; and 6,790,798 as well as U.S. PatentPublication Nos. 2004/0158212 A1 and 2004/0097895 A1, which are allincorporated by reference herein.

The absorbent material (e.g., cellulosic airfelt material or absorbentgelling material (also known as superabsorbent polymers)) of anabsorbent or fluid storage core may be enclosed in a core wrap or corebag. The core wrap or core bag may be constructed with one or morenonwovens. The core wrap may form a C-wrap. The nonwovens may comprisenon-phthalate catalyst polymers or bio-based content or materials, suchas plant-based fibers.

The absorbent gelling material or superabsorbent polymers of the coremay comprise a bio-based acrylic acid. Bio-based acrylic acid andmethods of production are further described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. U.S. 2007/0219521 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,703,450 and9,630,901. The absorbent gelling material or superabsorbent polymers ofthe present disclosure may have a bio-based content of from about 5% toabout 100%, from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%,from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%.

As previously mentioned, the absorbent article 100 may also includeelasticized leg gasketing elements 156 and a waist gasketing element158. It is to be appreciated that the leg gasketing elements 156 can beand are sometimes also referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barriercuffs, elastic cuffs, leg gasketing systems, or gasketing cuffs. Theelasticized leg gasketing elements 156 may be configured in various waysto help reduce the leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. Exampleleg gasketing elements 156 may include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,860,003; 4,909,803; 4,695,278; 4,795,454; 4,704,115; and U.S. PatentPublication No. 2009/0312730 A1, which are all incorporated by referenceherein. Useful materials of the elasticized leg gasketing elementsand/or the waist gasketing element include, but are not limited to,spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) nonwovens. Such nonwovens can comprisenon-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers and/or plant-based fibers.The elastic materials in the leg and waist gasketing elements may belatex-free.

An acquisition material and/or a distribution material may be positionedintermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The acquisitionmaterial may be positioned more proximate to the topsheet while thedistribution material may be positioned more proximate to the absorbentcore. The acquisition material and/or the distribution material maycomprise one or more nonwovens, foams, cellulosic materials,cross-linked cellulosic materials, air laid cellulosic nonwovenmaterials, spunlace materials, or combinations thereof, for example. Thecellulosic materials and cross-linked cellulosic materials may bebleached, but preferably not via chlorine-bleaching so as to be totalchlorine free. Hydrogen peroxide is one example bleaching material thatis useful in making acquisition and/or distribution materials that aretotally chlorine-free.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the chassis 102 may include longitudinallyextending and laterally opposing leg gasketing elements 156 that aredisposed on the interior surface 132 of the chassis 102 that facesinwardly toward the wearer and contacts the wearer. Each leg gasketingelement 156 may have a proximal edge 182 and a distal edge 184. Each leggasketing element 156 may also have a first side edge 186 and a secondside edge 188. The leg gasketing elements may also overlap the absorbentassembly 140, wherein the second side edges 188 extend laterally inwardof the respective side edges 152 and 154 of the absorbent assembly. Insome configurations, the leg gasketing elements 156 may not overlap theabsorbent assembly. It is to be appreciated that the leg gasketingelements 156 may be formed in various ways, such as for example, byfolding portions of the chassis 102 laterally inward, i.e., toward thelongitudinal axis 124, to form both the respective leg gasketingelements 156 and the side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102. Inanother example, the leg gasketing elements 156 may be formed byattaching an additional layer or layers to the chassis at or adjacent toeach of the respective side edges and of the chassis. Each of the leggasketing elements 156 may be joined to the interior surface 132 of thechassis and/or the absorbent assembly in leg gasketing elementattachment zones in the front waist region 116 and in leg gasketingelement attachment zones in the back waist region 118. The leg gasketingelements 156 may extend to the same longitudinal extent as the absorbentarticle 100 or alternatively the leg gasketing elements 156 may have alongitudinal extent that is less than the absorbent article 100.

The waist gasketing element 158 may provide improved fit and containmentand may be a portion or zone of the absorbent article 100 that mayelastically expand and contract to dynamically fit a wearer's waist. Thewaist gasketing element 158 may comprise a laterally extending proximalend edge 174 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extendingdistal end edge 176. The waist gasketing element 158 may also have afirst side edge 178 and a second side edge 180. Both side edges 178 and180 extend longitudinally between the proximal end edge 174 and thedistal end edge 176. The waist gasketing element 158 may be constructedin a number of different configurations including those described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595 and 5,151,092, which are all incorporated byreference herein.

It is to be appreciated that the waist gasketing element 158 may belocated in various positions relative to various diaper components. Forexample, the waist gasketing element 158 may be positionedlongitudinally inwardly from the waist edges 120, 122 of the absorbentarticle and/or toward the lateral edges 148, 150 (FIG. 1A) of theabsorbent core 142. In some configurations, the waist gasketing element158 may be positioned with a lateral edge that is coterminous with thewaist edges 120, 122, an example of which is shown in FIG. 6 . In someconfigurations, the waist gasketing element 158 may be positioned suchthat laterally opposing end regions of the waist gasketing element 158are located laterally inward from the leg gasketing elements 156. Insome configurations, the waist gasketing element 158 may be positionedsuch that laterally opposing end regions of the waist gasketing element158 overlap the leg gasketing elements 156. In some configurations, thewaist gasketing element 158 may be positioned on the wearer facingsurface 132 of the topsheet 138. In some configurations, the waistgasketing element 158 may be positioned on the wearer facing surfaces132 of the topsheet 138 and the leg gasketing elements 156. In someconfigurations, the waist gasketing element 158 may be positioned on thewearer facing surfaces 132 of the topsheet 138, and laterally opposingend regions of the waist gasketing element 158 may be positioned betweenthe leg gasketing elements 156 and the topsheet 138. In someconfigurations, the waist gasketing element 158 may be positioned on thegarment facing service 134 of the backsheet 136. The absorbent article100 may also include more than one waist gasketing element 158, as shownin FIG. 1B, for example, having one waistband 158 positioned in the backwaist region 118 and one waistband 158 positioned in the front waistregion 116, although other embodiments may be constructed with a singlewaist gasketing element 158.

At least a portion of the waist gasketing element 158 may be attached tothe chassis 102 with an adhesive 170. The waist gasketing element 158can define at least one adhesive zone 171 of adhesive 170 on the surfaceof the waist gasketing element 158 that adheres to the chassis 102. Itis to be appreciated that the adhesive zone 171 of adhesive 170 maydefine various sizes and shapes relative to the waist gasketing element158. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the adhesive zone 171 may extendin the cross direction CD for less than the entire width W of the waistgasketing element 158. In some configurations, the adhesive zone 171 maybe positioned only on a central region 190 of the waist gasketingelement 158 such that adhesive 170 is only provided in the centralregion 190, and other regions of the waist gasketing element 158 are notadhesively bonded to the chassis 102. In another embodiment, theadhesive zone 171 may extend in the machine direction for the entirelength L (FIG. 1B) of the waist gasketing element 158 such that theadhesive is coterminous with the proximal end edge 174 and the distalend edge 176. One or more other portions of the waist gasketing element158 may be mechanically attached to one or more substrates of theabsorbent article 100 using mechanical bonds 172. For example, portionsof the waist gasketing element 158 can be attached to the leg gasketingelements 156 using the mechanical bonds 172. The waist gasketing element158 can therefore define at least a first adhesive-free zone 173 and asecond adhesive-free zone 175 and the mechanical bonds 172 may bepositioned within the first and second adhesive-free zones 173 and 175.It is to be appreciated that the first and second adhesive free zones173 and 175 may define various sizes and shapes relative to the waistgasketing element 158. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the firstadhesive-free zone 173 may laterally extend inward from the first sideedge 178 towards the adhesive zone 171 and longitudinally extend fromthe proximal end edge 174 to the distal end edge 176. The secondadhesive-free zone 175 may laterally extend inward from the second sideedge 180 towards the adhesive zone 171 and longitudinally extend fromthe proximal end edge 174 to the distal end edge 176. In someconfigurations, the first and second adhesive free zones 173, 175 may bepositioned laterally inward from the first side edge 178 and the secondside edge 180, and in turn, adhesive zones may extend laterally outwardfrom first and second adhesive free zones 173, 175 to or adjacent to thefirst side edge 178 and the second side edge 180. As described in moredetail below, the waist gasketing element 158 may also define one ormore adhesive-free zones that do not include mechanical bonds 172. Forexample, an adhesive-free zone may extend longitudinally from theproximal end edge 174 of the waist gasketing element 158 towards theadhesive zone 171 and extends laterally in the CD for less than theentire width W, therefore forming a pocket between the waist gasketingelement 158 and the chassis 102. It is also to be appreciated that insome configurations, the waist gasketing element 158 may be attached tothe chassis 102 with only mechanical bonds and without the use ofadhesive.

Taped diapers may be manufactured and provided to consumers in aconfiguration wherein the front waist region and the back waist regionare not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected to each other as packaged,prior to being applied to the wearer. For example, the taped diaper 100Tmay be folded about a lateral centerline with the interior surface 132of the first waist region 116 in surface to surface contact with theinterior surface 132 of the second waist region 118 without fastening orjoining the waist regions together. The rear side panels 104 and 106and/or the front side panels 108 and 110 and/or the leg gasketingelements 156 may also be folded laterally inward toward the innersurfaces 132 of the waist regions 116 and 118.

The absorbent article 100 may also include various configurations offastening elements to enable fastening of the front waist region 116 andthe back waist region 118 together to form a closed waist circumferenceand leg openings once the absorbent article is positioned on a wearer.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 mayinclude first and second fastening members 162, 164, also referred to astabs, connected with the first and second rear side panels 104, 106,respectively. The absorbent article may also include first and secondfront side panels 108, 110, that may or may not include fasteningmembers.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, each side panel 104, 106and/or fastening member 162 and 164 may form a portion of or may bepermanently bonded, adhered or otherwise joined directly or indirectlyto the chassis 102 laterally inward from the side edges 128 and 130, inone of the front waist region 116 or the back waist region 118.Alternatively, the fastening members 162, 164 may form a portion of ormay be permanently bonded, adhered or otherwise joined directly orindirectly to the first and second rear panels 104, 106 at or adjacentthe distal edge of the panel and/or the first and second front sidepanels 108 and 110 at or adjacent the distal edge of the side panel. Itis to be appreciated that the fastening members and/or side panels maybe assembled in various ways, such as disclosed for example, in U.S.Pat. No. 7,371,302, which is incorporated by reference herein. Thefastening members 162, 164 and/or side panels 104, 106, 108, 110 mayalso be permanently bonded or joined at or adjacent the side edges 128and 130 of the chassis 102 in various ways, such as for example, byadhesive bonds, sonic bonds, pressure bonds, thermal bonds orcombinations thereof, such as disclosed for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,702,551, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, the first fastening member 162 and/or thesecond fastening member 164 may include various types of releasablyengageable fasteners. The first and second fastening members 162 and/or164 may also include various types of refastenable fastening structures.For example, the first and second fastening members 162 and 164 mayinclude mechanical fasteners 166, in the form of hook and loopfasteners, hook and hook fasteners, macrofasteners, buttons, snaps, taband slot fasteners, tape fasteners, adhesive fasteners, cohesivefasteners, magnetic fasteners, hermaphroditic fasteners, and the like.Some examples of fastening systems and/or fastening members 162, 164 arediscussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,594; 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060;4,946,527; 5,151,092; 5,221,274; 6,251,097; 6,669,618; 6,432,098; andU.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007/0078427 A1 and 2007/0093769 A1, whichare all incorporated by reference herein.

As previously mentioned, the fastening members 162 and 164 may beconstructed from various materials and may be constructed as a laminatestructure. The fastening members 162 and 164 may also be adapted toreleasably and/or refastenably engage or connect with another portion ofthe diaper 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the diaper 100 mayinclude a connection zone 168, sometimes referred to as a landing zone,in the first waist region 116. The connection zone 168 may comprisenonwovens and fastener hooks that comprise polymers containing bio-basedcontent, non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers, and/or plant-basedfibers. As such, when the taped diaper 100 is placed on a wearer, thefastening members 162 and 164 may be pulled around the waist of thewearer and connected with the connection zone 168 in the first waistregion 116 to form a closed waist circumference and a pair of laterallyopposing leg openings. It is to be appreciated that the connection zonemay be constructed from a separate substrate that is connected with thechassis 102 of the taped diaper. In some embodiments, the connectionzone may be integrally formed as part of the backsheet 136 of the diaper100 or may be formed as part of the first and second front panels 108,110, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,840 and 5,928,212, whichare both incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a back waist region of another exampleabsorbent article 200 with the portion of the absorbent article thatfaces toward a wearer oriented towards the viewer. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3. Referring to FIGS.2 and 3 , and similarly to the absorbent article 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B,the absorbent article 200 includes a chassis 202 having a back waistedge 222 and side edges 228 and 230. The chassis 202 may include abacksheet 236 and a topsheet 238, as well as intermediate layers ormaterials, such as a polymeric backsheet film 235 and an absorbentassembly 240.

The absorbent article 200 also includes a waist gasketing element 258,which is schematically illustrated to include a laminate of an elasticfilm 220 bonded with a first nonwoven 216 and a second nonwoven 218. Thefirst nonwoven 216 may be bonded to the second nonwoven 218 through anysuitable technique, such as ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, and soforth. One or both of the nonwovens 216 and 218 may be, for example, anelastomeric nonwoven or a non-elastic nonwoven. It is also beappreciated that the first nonwoven 216 and the second nonwoven 218 maybe the same size or may have different sizes and may define the same ordifferent widths and/or lengths. Further, while the waist gasketingelement 258 is shown in FIG. 3 to have two layers of nonwovens, it is tobe appreciated that this disclosure is not so limited. For example, thecontinuous elastic substrate may be configured as a bi-laminate with anelastic film bonded with a single nonwoven substrate, such asbi-laminate formed with the elastic film 220 and nonwoven 216. Further,instead of an elastic film 220, the waist gasketing element 258 cancomprise elastic strands, or other suitable materials. The laminate offilm 220 and one or more non-wovens can be an extrusion bonded laminate.It is also to be appreciated that the waist gasketing element 258 may beassembled in various ways, such as for example, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,572,595; 6,830,800; 7,087,287; and 7,803,244; and U.S.Patent Publication Nos. 2018/0042778 A1; 2018/0042787 A1; 2018/0042779A1; and 2018/0042780 A1, which are all incorporated by reference herein.

Mechanical bonds 272 are shown in FIG. 2 and schematically illustratedin FIG. 3 to depict the mechanical connection of the waist gasketingelement 258 to the chassis 202. In some configurations, however, themechanical connection is between the waist gasketing element 258 and leggasketing elements 256 such that the chassis 202 is not incorporatedinto the mechanical bonds 272. Furthermore, in some configurations, thewaist gasketing element 258 may be mechanically connected to the topsheet 238 but not the backsheet 236. Referring to FIG. 3 , mechanicalbonds 272 in the illustrated example are shown extending from the firstnonwoven 216 to the backsheet 236 and intermediate substratestherebetween, such as leg gasketing elements 256. A first grouping ofmechanical bonds 272 may be positioned within a first adhesive-free zone273 (FIG. 2 ) and second grouping of mechanical bonds 272 may bepositioned within a second adhesive-free zone 275 (FIG. 2 ). As shown inFIG. 2 , the first adhesive-free zone 273 and the second adhesive-freezone 275 may each have a width W1 in the cross direction CD. Inaccordance with various configurations, the width W1 may be up to 75 mm,or in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm, or may be in the range ofabout 10 mm to about 20 mm, or may be about 15 mm. Each of the firstadhesive-free zone 273 and the second adhesive-free zone 275 may extendin the machine direction MD from a proximal end edge 274 to a distal endedge 276 of the waist gasketing element 258. While mechanical bonds 272may extend through multiple absorbent article components to bond thewaist gasketing element 258 (as shown in FIG. 3 ), the mechanical bonds272 may extend through just the waist gasketing element 258 and thetopsheet 238, or just through waist gasketing element 258 and the leggasketing elements 256, or just through the waist gasketing element 258,the topsheet 238, and leg gasketing elements 256.

A central portion of the example waist gasketing element 258 is attachedto the chassis 202 with an adhesive 270. The waist gasketing element 258can define at least one adhesive zone 271 of adhesive 270 on the surfaceof the waist gasketing element 258 that adheres to the chassis 202. Asshown in FIG. 2 , the adhesive zone 271 may have a width W2 in the crossdirection CD and a height H1 in machine direction MD. In accordance withvarious configurations, the width W2 may be in the range of about 80 mmto about 260 mm, or may be in the range of about 90 mm to about 130 mm,or may be about 120 mm. The height of the waist gasketing element 258 inthe machine direction MD is shown as H3. In some configurations, theadhesive zone 271 may extend in the machine direction MD from theproximal end edge 274 of the waist gasketing element 258 to the distaledge 276 of the waist gasketing element 258 such that H1 issubstantially equal to H3. In accordance with various configurations,the H1 may be in the range of about 5 mm to about 35 mm, or may be inthe range of about 25 mm to about 60 mm, or may be about 40 mm. Inaccordance with various configurations, the H3 may be in the range ofabout 10 mm to about 35 mm, or may be in the range of about 25 mm toabout 80 mm, or may be about 40 mm. Further, the adhesive zone 271 maybe spaced away from the proximal end edge 274 and/or the distal edge 276of the waist gasketing element 258, including being spaced away by 1 mm,2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm from the proximal end edge 274 and/or thedistal edge 276 of the waist gasketing element 258.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the example waist gasketing element 258 defines athird adhesive-free zone 275 that has a width W2 in the cross directionCD and a height H2 in the machine direction MD. The third adhesive-freezone 277 may not include any adhesive or mechanical bonds and thereforemay be disconnected from the chassis 102. As such, a pocket may beformed between the waist gasketing element 258 and the chassis 102 inthat zone. The pocket may be defined in the machine direction MD by theportion of the proximal end edge 274 laterally extending between thefirst and second adhesive-free zones 273 and 275 and the adhesive zone271. The pocket may be defined in the cross direction CD by the portionof the waist gasketing element 258 extended between the first and secondadhesive-free zones 273 and 275. In accordance with variousconfigurations, the H2 may be in the range of about 10 mm to about 35mm, or may be in the range of about 25 mm to about 60 mm, or may beabout 30 mm.

FIG. 2 depicts an example absorbent article 200 in which the waistgasketing element 258 is positioned such that the distal edge 276 of thewaist gasketing element 258 is coterminous with the back waist edge 222.It is to be appreciated, that a waist gasketing element similar to thewaist gasketing element 258 can optionally be provided in a front waistregion of the absorbent article 200 and similarly positionedconterminously with a front waist edge. However, while the waistgasketing element 258 shown in FIG. 2 is coterminous with the back waistedge 222, this disclosure is not so limited. For example, FIG. 4 is aplan view of a back waist region 318 and a front waist region 316 of anabsorbent article 300 with the portion of the absorbent article thatfaces toward a wearer oriented towards the viewer. The front waistregion 316 is shown to have first and second front side panels 308 and310 and the back waist region 318 is shown to have rear side panels 304and 306. FIG. 4 depicts waist gasketing elements 358 positioned in thefront and back waist regions 316 and 318. Similar to the waist gasketingelements described above, the waist gasketing elements 358 are bonded toa chassis 302 of the absorbent article 300 through mechanical bonds 372positioned in adhesive-free zones 373 and 375. A central portion of eachof the waist gasketing elements 358 is attached to the chassis 302 withan adhesive 370. The waist gasketing elements 358 define an adhesivezone 371 of adhesive 370 on the surface of the waist gasketing element358 that adheres to the chassis 302. In this example configuration, theadhesive zone 371 extends in the machine direction MD to be coterminouswith a proximal end edge 374 and a distal end edge 376 of the waistgasketing elements 358.

Referring now to the back waist region 318, the waist gasketing element358 is positioned relative to the chassis 302 such that it is offset inthe machine direction MD from a back waist edge 322 by an offsetdistance OD. The offset distance OD 0 mm, such that the distal end edge376 of the waist gasketing elements 358 positioned in the back waistregion 318 is coterminous with back waist edge 322 and waist gasketingelements 358 positioned in the front waist region 316 is coterminouswith front waist edge 344. Alternatively, the offset distance OD can bein the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, or in the range of about 2 mmto about 5 mm, or in the range of about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or in therange of about 20 mm to about 50 mm, or can be about 10 mm. The waistgasketing element 358 is positioned in the front waist region 316 andmay also be offset in the machine direction MD from a front waist edge344 by an offset distance OD. The offset distance OD can be 0 mm or bein the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, or in the range of about 2 mmto about 5 mm, or in the range of about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or in therange of about 20 to about 40 mm, or can be about 10 mm.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5. Asshown in FIG. 5 , a central portion of the example waist gasketingelement 358 is attached to the chassis 302 (FIG. 4) with an adhesive370. In the illustrated example, the waist gasketing element 558 isschematically illustrated to include a bi-laminate of an elastic film320 bonded with a nonwoven 319. The absorbent article 300 is shown toinclude a landing zone 368 that provides a connection zone for thefastening members 362 and 364 (FIG. 4 ). The fastening members 362 and364 may be pulled around the waist of the wearer and connected with thelanding zone 368 in the front waist region 316 to form a closed waistcircumference and a pair of laterally opposing leg openings. In thisexample configuration, the mechanical bonds 372 extend through the waistgasketing element 358 and the landing zone 368, as well as variousintermediate layers, such as leg gasketing elements 356, a polymericbacksheet film 335, and a backsheet 336. Incorporation of the landingzone 368 into the mechanical bonds 372 can beneficially improve strengthof the mechanical bonds, and overlap of the landing zone 368 and thewaist gasketing element 358 can provide stiffness to prevent or reduceinadvertent flipping of the waist gasketing element 358.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a back waist region 418 of an absorbent article400 with the portion of the absorbent article that faces toward a weareroriented toward the viewer in accordance with another embodiment. Theabsorbent article 400 includes a chassis 402 that has a first side edge428 and a second side edge 430. The absorbent article 400 has a width W1in the cross direction CD as measured laterally between the first andsecond side edges 428 and 430. A waist gasketing element 458schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 is attached to the chassis 402through mechanical bonds 472 positioned in a first adhesive-free zone473 and a second adhesive-free zone 475. A central portion of theexample waist gasketing element 458 is attached to the chassis 402 withan adhesive 470. The waist gasketing element 458 can define at least oneadhesive zone 471 of adhesive 470 on the surface of the waist gasketingelement 458 that adheres to the chassis 402. The waist gasketing element458 may comprise a laterally extending proximal end edge 474 and alongitudinally opposing and laterally extending distal end edge 476. Thewaist gasketing element 458 may also have a first side edge 478 and asecond side edge 480. Both side edges 478 and 480 extend longitudinallybetween the proximal end edge 474 and the distal end edge 476. The waistgasketing element 458 has a width W2 in the cross direction CD asmeasured laterally between the side edges 478 and 480. In thisembodiment, the first side edge 478 is coterminous with the first sideedge 428 of the chassis 402 and the second side edge 480 is coterminouswith the second side edge 430 of the chassis 402. Accordingly, in thisexample configuration the width of the back waist region 418 is the sameas the width of the waist gasketing element 458, such that W1 issubstantially equal to W2.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the absorbent article 400 may include first andsecond fastening members 462, 464, also referred to as tabs, connectedwith the first and second rear side panels 404, 406, respectively. Thefirst fastening member 462 and/or the second fastening member 464 mayinclude various types of releasably engageable fasteners. The first andsecond fastening members 462 and/or 464 may also include various typesof refastenable fastening structures. For example, the first and secondfastening members 462 and 464 may include mechanical fasteners 466, inthe form of hook and loop fasteners, hook and hook fasteners,macrofasteners, buttons, snaps, tab and slot fasteners, tape fasteners,adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, magnetic fasteners,hermaphroditic fasteners, and the like.

The first and second fastening members 462, 464 can define a tab axis426 extending in the cross direction through a longitudinal midpoint ofeach of the first and second fastening members 462, 464. The tab axis426 may be parallel to a lateral axis of the absorbent article 400. Thewaist gasketing element 458 can define a waist gasketing element axis424 extending in the cross direction through a longitudinal midpoint ofthe waist gasketing element 458. The waist gasketing element axis 424may be parallel to the tab axis 426. In accordance with variousconfigurations, the waist gasketing element axis 424 may be offset fromthe tab axis 426 in a direction towards the distal end edge 476 by anaxis offset distance AOD. In FIG. 6 , the tab axis 426 does not overlapany portion of the waist gasketing element 458, but this disclosure isnot so limited. In some configurations, for example, the tab axis 426may overlap a portion of the waist gasketing element 458 in a regionlocated between the waist gasketing element axis 424 and the first sideedge 478.

When the fastening members 462 and 464 are pulled around the waist ofthe wearer and connected with a front waist region to form a closedwaist circumference a direct line of tension is formed between thefastening members 462 and 464. Offsetting the waist gasketing elementaxis 424 from the tab axis 426 by a distance AOD can beneficially keepthe waist gasketing element 458 from being aligned with this direct lineof tension. Thus, configuring the absorbent article 400 such that thewaist gasketing element axis 424 is spaced away from the tab axis 426may allow for the waist gasketing element 458 to be exposed to lessforce levels than the levels of force to which the fastening members 462and 464 are exposed. As a result, the stretchable waist gasketingelement axis 424 can retain energy that can be used to close gaps whenthe wearer bends yet not impact the overall span of the users thearticle can fit.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , a simplified cross-sectional view of a waistgasketing element 558 attached to a top sheet 538 is schematicallydepicted. The example waist gasketing element 558 is shown to be alaminate of a first nonwoven 516, an elastic film 520, and a secondnonwoven 518 that is formed through ultrasonic bonds 575. Whileultrasonic bonds 575 are depicted in FIG. 7 , any suitable technique forcreating the laminate can be utilized. The bond sites can create aplurality of longitudinal channels 580 that are defined between thefirst nonwoven 516 and the elastic film 520. Another plurality oflongitudinal channels 582 may be are defined between the elastic film520 and the second nonwoven 518. Additional description regardingexample bond patterns is found below with reference to the bonds 675depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 .

Still referring to FIG. 7 , the waist gasketing element 558 can define aplurality of different zones in the cross direction CD, shown asadhesive-free zones AFZs and an adhesive zone AZ. The adhesive zone AZis the portion of the waist gasketing element 558 that is adhered to thetop sheet 538 via an adhesive 570. The adhesive 570 can be applied toeither the waist gasketing element 558 and/or the top sheet 538 in astripes, or other formations that create gaps or spacings in the lateraldirection between adjacent stripes of adhesive. A plurality oflongitudinal channels 584 may be defined between the top sheet 538 andthe second nonwoven 518. The plurality of longitudinal channels 580,582, and 584, sometimes referred to a microchannels, can be formed whenthe elasticized waist gasketing element 558 is relaxed. The plurality oflongitudinal channels 580, 582, and 584 can define an inboard opening ata proximal end edge of the waist gasketing element (such as proximal endedge 474 in FIG. 6 ) and an outboard opening at the distal end edge(such as distal end edge 476 in FIG. 6 ) of the waist gasketing element.The plurality of longitudinal channels 580, 582, and 584 canbeneficially trap menses, urine, and/or runny feces.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a laminate 660 that can be cut in thecross direction to form waist gasketing elements. FIG. 9 depicts thelaminate 660 subsequent to cutting in the cross direction, therebyforming waist gasketing elements 658A and 658B, which are shown spacedapart in the machine direction 658 to show the end edges 674A and 674Bthat are formed subsequent to cutting. An example bond pattern having aplurality of bond sites 675 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . As is to beappreciated, the bond sites 675 can be used to bond various layers suchas a film, and one or more non-wovens, to form a laminate. Thearrangement of bond sites 675 can be configured to reduce the formationof an unwanted lip or flange across the entire end edges 674A, 674B. Asshown in FIG. 9 , while the end edges 674A, 674B are shown to have smallbond-free portions 670, such bond-free portions 670 are disposedintermittently across the end edges 674A, 674B, with other portions ofthe end edges 674A, 674B having bonds.

The example arrangement of bond sites 675 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9generally shows a wavy pattern of bond sites 675. While the bond sites675 are shown in a wavy pattern, other patterns can be used to providethe same benefits, such as, for example, a zig-zag pattern or othersuitable repeating pattern, having an amplitude that at least about halfthe distance between consecutive bond sites in the machine direction MD.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the bond sites 675 can form a plurality of waves677 that each extend in the cross direction CD and have peaks 680 andvalleys 682. The waves 677 may have an amplitude (shown as waveamplitude WA) that is just slightly less than the MD spacing of the bondsites 675 (shown as dimension C). In some configurations, the waistgasketing element 658A can be attached to an absorbent article in a backwaist region such that one of the peaks 680 is generally centered on theback of a wearer of the absorbent article. The waist gasketing element658B can be attached to the absorbent article in a front waist regionsuch that one of the valleys 682 is generally centered on the front ofthe wearer of the absorbent article. In accordance with the illustratedembodiment, each peak 680 may in include two adjacent bond sites 675that are laterally spaced in the cross direction along the same lateralaxis. Similarly, each valley 682 may include two bond sites 675 that arelaterally spaced in the cross direction along the same lateral axis.

The bond sites 675 connecting each peak 680 and valley 672 may be spacedin the machine direction by a distance A. The distance A may in therange of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or in the range of about 1 mm toabout 3 mm, or in the range of about 2 to about 10 mm. In someembodiments, the distance A is about 0.5 mm. Laterally adjacent bondsites 675 in a wave can be separated in the cross direction CD by adistance B. The distance B may in the range of about 2 mm to about 6 mm.The distance B may in the range of about 3 mm to about 5 mm, or about 5mm to about 15 mm. In some embodiments, the distance B is about 4.8 mm.Longitudinally adjacent bond sites 675 in a consecutive waves can beseparated in the machine direction MD by a distance C. The distance Cmay in the range of about 2 mm to about 10 mm. The distance C may in therange of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Cis about 4 mm.

Referring now to FIG. 10 , an example waist gasketing laminate 759 priorto separation at cut locations 760 is schematically illustrated.Subsequent to separation, waist gasketing elements 758A and 758B areformed and can be applied to a chassis of an absorbent article. Similarto various waist gasketing element described above, the waist gasketinglaminate 759 can define a plurality of different zones in the crossdirection CD. An adhesive zone 771 is a portion of the waist gasketinglaminate 759 that is adhered to a chassis of an absorbent article via anadhesive 770. A first adhesive-free zone 773 and a second adhesive-freezone 775 are the portions of the waist gasketing laminate 759 that maybe bonded to a chassis of an absorbent article via mechanical bonds 772,as described above. In this example configuration, however, the waistgasketing laminate 759 also includes a first end adhesive portion 721and a second end adhesive portion 723. An adhesive 770 may be used inthe first end adhesive portion 721 and the second end adhesive portion723 to adhere those portions to a chassis of an absorbent article.

The first end adhesive portion 721 may be positioned in the crossdirection CD between the first adhesive-free zone 773 and the adhesivezone 771. The second end adhesive portion 723 may be positioned in thecross direction CD between the adhesive zone 771 and the secondadhesive-free zone 775. As shown, the first and second end adhesiveportions 721 and 723 may extend in the machine direction MD the entirelongitudinal length of the waist gasketing elements 758A and 758B. Theapplication of the adhesive 770 in the first and second end adhesiveportions 721 and 723 can beneficially improve the total strength of themechanical bonds 772, especially when the mechanical bonds 772 arerelatively small and have an open pattern.

In some configurations, the width of the first end adhesive portion 721and a second end adhesive portion 723 in the machine direction isreduced in order to increase the width of an adhesive free zone 777,sometimes referred to as a pocket, that is positioned therebetween.During production of the waist gasketing laminate 759, the adhesive 770can be applied continuously to the laminate in the first end adhesiveportion 721 and the second end adhesive portion 723, while the adhesive770 applied to the adhesive zone 771 can be applied intermittently. Dueto the use of two different adhesive delivery assemblies, a small gapGin the cross direction CD may be defined between the adhesive zone 771and each of the first and second end adhesive portions 721 and 723.However, while a gap G is depicted for illustration purpose, this gapmay or may not exist as a result of the specific adhesive applicationthat is used. Furthermore, the adhesives in any of the portions 721,723, and 771 can be applied to the waistband gasketing laminate 759 orcan be applied to the chassis.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , a cross-sectional view of example waistgasketing element 858 taken in the machine direction is shown in a fullystretched condition. FIG. 12 depicts the waist gasketing element 858from FIG. 11 in a relaxed, contracted condition. The waist gasketingelement 858 can be attached to an absorbent article through acombination of mechanical bonds and adhesive, in accordance with presentdisclosure. The waist gasketing element 858 can include an elastic film820. The elastic film 820 may include a first edge region 820A adjacenta first edge 816A and a second edge region 820B adjacent a second edge816B. The first edge region 820A is separated from the second edgeregion 820B in the cross direction CD by a central region 820C. Duringassembly of the waist gasketing element 858 some portions of the firstand second edge regions 820A and 820B of the elastic film 820 may remainunstretched in the cross direction CD. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11 , thewaist gasketing element 858 may include a first film dead zone F_(DZ1)and a second film dead zone F_(DZ2) that may correspond with theunstretched regions of the elastic film 820. In addition, the waistgasketing element 858 may also include a first nonwoven dead zoneNW_(DZ1) and a second nonwoven dead zone NW_(DZ2) that correspond withregions where the elastic film 820 is not positioned between the firstsubstrate 816 and the second substrate 818. The first nonwoven dead zoneNW_(DZ1) may extend from a first longitudinal edge 880 of the waistgasketing element 858 to the first film dead zone F_(DZ1), and thesecond nonwoven dead zone NW_(DZ2) may extend from the secondlongitudinal edge 872 of the waist gasketing element 858 to the secondfilm dead zone F_(DZ2). As such, the waist gasketing element 858 may notbe elastomeric in the cross direction CD in the nonwoven dead zonesNW_(DZ1), NW_(DZ2) and the film dead zones F_(DZ1), F_(DZ2).

With continued reference to FIG. 11 , the waist gasketing element 858may include a stretch zone S_(Z) located between the nonwoven dead zonesNW_(DZ1), NW_(DZ2) and the film dead zones F_(DZ1), F_(DZ2). The waistgasketing element 858 may be elastomeric in the cross direction CD inthe stretch zone S_(Z). As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the waistgasketing element 858 may define a width W_(FS) when fully stretched inthe cross direction CD (FIG. 10 ), and the waist gasketing element 858may define a width W_(FR) when fully relaxed in the cross direction CD(FIG. 11 ), wherein W_(FR) is less than W_(FS). Similarly, the stretchzone S_(Z) may define a width W_(SZS) when fully stretched in the crossdirection CD (FIG. 11 ), and the stretch zone S_(Z) may define a widthW_(SZR) when fully relaxed in the cross direction CD (FIG. 12 ), whereinW_(SZR) is less than W_(SZS). In some configurations, the width of theadhesive zone 271 in the cross direction CD adhesive zone in fullystretched condition may be equal to or less than the width W_(SZS). Itis to be appreciated that the width W_(SZR) and the width W_(SZS) maydefine have various relative sizes with respect to each other. Forexample, in some configurations, a ratio of W_(SZS)/W_(SZR) may be fromabout 1.3 to about 4, specifically reciting all 0.1 increments withinthe above-recited ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. It isto be appreciated that the width W_(FR) and the width W_(FS) may definehave various relative sizes with respect to each other. For example, insome configurations, a ratio of W_(FS)/W_(FR) may be from about 1.2 toabout 3.5, specifically reciting all 0.1 increments within theabove-recited ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the first nonwoven dead zone NW_(DZ1) may define awidth W_(NWDZ1) in the cross direction CD, and the second nonwoven deadzone NW_(DZ2) may define a width W_(NWDZ2) in the cross direction CD,wherein W_(NWDZ1) may be equal to or different than W_(NWDZ2). In someconfigurations, the width W_(NWDZ1) and/or the width W_(NWDZ2) may befrom about 1 mm to about 5 mm, specifically reciting all 1 mm incrementswithin the above-recited ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby. In some configurations, the width W_(NWDZ1) and/or the widthW_(NWDZ2) may be from about 0 mm to about 15 mm, specifically recitingall 1 mm increments within the above-recited ranges and all rangesformed therein or thereby. The first film dead zone F_(DZ1) may define awidth W_(FDZ1) in the cross direction CD, and second film dead zoneF_(DZ2) may define a width W_(FDZ2) in the cross direction CD, whereinW_(FDZ1) may be equal to or different than W_(FDZ2). In someconfigurations, the width W_(FDZ1) and/or the width W_(FDZ2) may be fromabout 7 mm to about 12 mm, specifically reciting all 1 mm incrementswithin the above-recited ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby. In some configurations, the width W_(FDZ1) and/or the widthW_(FDZ2) may be from about 6 mm to about 15 mm, specifically recitingall 1 mm increments within the above-recited ranges and all rangesformed therein or thereby. In addition, the widths of the nonwoven deadzones W_(NWDZ1), W_(NWDZ2) may be equal to or different from the widthsof the film dead zones W_(FDZ1), W_(FDZ2). In some configurations, thecombination of the first nonwoven dead zone NW_(DZ1) and the first filmdead zone F_(DZ1) may define a first dead zone D_(Z1) of the waistgasketing element 858, and the combination of the second nonwoven deadzone NW_(DZ2) and the second film dead zone F_(DZ2) may define a seconddead zone D_(Z2) of the waist gasketing element 858. Thus, the firstdead zone D_(Z1) may define a width W_(DZ1) in the cross direction CDthat is equal to the sum of the width W_(NWDZ1) and the width W_(FDZ1),and/or the second dead zone D_(Z2) may define a width W_(DZ2) in thecross direction CD that is equal to the sum of the width W_(NWDZ2) andthe width W_(FDZ2). It is also to be appreciated that the mechanicalbonds 172, 272, 372, 472, 772 discussed herein may extend in the crossdirection CD for distances that are less than, equal to, or larger thanthe width W_(DZ1) and/or the width W_(DZ2). In some configurations, thewaist gasketing element 858 may not include the first nonwoven dead zoneNW_(DZ1) and/or the second nonwoven dead zone NW_(DZ2). As such, thefirst film dead zone F_(DZ1) may define the first dead zone D_(Z1) ofthe waist gasketing element 858, and the second film dead zone F_(DZ2)may define a second dead zone D_(Z2) of the waist gasketing element 858.Thus, the width W_(DZ1) may be equal to the width W_(FDZ1), and/or thewidth W_(DZ2) may be equal to the width W_(FDZ2).

It is to be appreciated the waist gasketing element 858 may beconfigured such that the width W_(DZ1) of the first dead zone D_(Z1) maybe equal to or different from the width W_(DZ2) of the second zoneD_(Z2). In some configurations, the width W_(DZ1) of the first dead zoneD_(Z1) width and the width W_(DZ2) of the second dead zone D_(Z2) mayeach be equal to, less than, or greater than a width of theadhesive-free zones of the waist gasketing element 858.

Waist Gasketing Element with Cotton, Plant-Based Fibers, or NaturalFibers

The various waist gasketing elements disclosed herein may comprise oneor more substrates that comprise cotton, plant-based fibers, and/ornatural fibers. Such waist gasketing elements may be joined to thewearer facing surface of the absorbent article, so that the waistgasketing element forms a portion of a wearer facing surface and willcontact the skin of a wearer. The waist gasketing element may comprise afirst nonwoven substrate, a second nonwoven substrate, and an elasticfilm positioned at least partially intermediate the first and secondnonwoven substrates. At least one of the first and second nonwovensubstrates may comprise, or be almost entirely, or entirely formed ofcotton, plant-based fibers, and/or natural fibers. A cotton, plant-basedfiber, or natural fiber content by weight of the first and/or secondnonwoven substrates may be in the range of about 5% to about 100%, about10% to about 100%, about 15% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%,about 75% to about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 100%, or 100%,by weight of the first and/or second nonwoven substrates. The firstnonwoven substrate may be positioned on/closest to the topsheet (orfurthest away from a wearer) and the second nonwoven substrate may forma portion of a wearer facing surface of the absorbent article. It isdesirable for at least the second substrate to contain the cotton,plant-based fibers, and/or natural fibers since the second substratewill be in contact with a wearer's skin and provide a soft, cushiony,comfortable feel. In some instances, the first and second substrates maynot contain any cotton, plant-based fibers, or natural fibers and acotton, plant-based fiber, and/or natural fiber containing substrate maybe joined to (e.g., through adhesives or bonding) the second substrateto form a portion of the wearer facing surface of the absorbent article.As such, the waist gasketing elements of the present disclosure maycomprise a wearer facing surface formed of, or partially formed of,cotton, plant-based fibers, and/or natural fibers.

Wetness Indicator/Graphics

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprise graphicsand/or wetness indicators that are visible from the garment-facingsurface. The graphics may be printed on the landing zone, the backsheet,and/or at other locations. The wetness indicators are typically appliedto the absorbent core facing side of the backsheet, so that they can becontacted by bodily exudates within the absorbent core In someinstances, the wetness indicators may form portions of the graphics. Forexample, a wetness indicator may appear or disappear and create/remove acharacter within some graphics. In other instances, the wetnessindicators may coordinate (e.g., same design, same pattern, same color)or not coordinate with the graphics.

The wetness indicator may comprise a color changing composition basedupon a pH change when contacted with a chemical compound typicallycontained in urine. The color changing composition can be devoid of polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

Odor Management Materials

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may employ odor managementmaterials. These materials may manage odors inherit to the raw materialsused in the manufacture of the absorbent articles and/or manage odorsassociated with absorbed material (e.g., urine, feces, menses). The odormanagement materials may be devoid of perfume raw materials orfragrances as these traditional materials may be irritants to someindividuals. The odor management materials may comprise naturalextracts, naturally derived materials, and/or mineral-based materials.Example odor management materials encompassed within these categoriesincludes activated carbon, zeolites, silica, and combinations thereof.

Adhesives

Adhesives can be employed to affix one component to another component inthe absorbent article's final assembly. Adhesives may also be employedto immobilize sub-components, such as, for example, particulate matterwithin an absorbent core component. The adhesives in some instances maybe devoid of added fluorescence.

Packages

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be placed intopackages. The packages may comprise a polymeric bag and an optionalcarton surrounding at least a portion of the polymeric bag. Thepolymeric bag may comprise bio-based polyolefin. The optional carton maybe made of fiberboard and may contain recycled material or a blend ofrecycled and virgin material. Each package may comprise a plurality ofabsorbent articles.

Communication in the form of graphics and/or indicia relating toproperties of the absorbent articles may be formed on, printed on,positioned on, and/or placed on outer portions of the packages. Forexample, the communication may relate to the absence of certainundesirable materials, such as chlorine, perfume, scent, fragrance,lotion, non-phthalate-catalyst polypropylene, adhesives having addedflorescence, and green number 7 dye. The communication may also relateto features of the contained absorbent articles, such as, that theabsorbent article has cotton (via cotton seal icon) or plant-basedmaterials.

EXAMPLES

Absorbent Article Component Material Material Topsheet Dual layerspunbond 35 gsm air through carded nonwoven web (25 gsm/25 nonwoven webcomprising gsm), with each layer 50/50 blend, based on comprisingbi-component weight percent, of polyester fibers having a fibers andbio-based polypropylene core and bio- polyethylene fibers basedpolyethylene sheath No Lotion Top layer: hydrophobic Bottom layer:hydrophilic No Lotion Acquisition 43 gsm carded nonwoven 33 gsm cardednonwoven Layer comprising coarse (>4 dtex) comprising PET fibers (>1 PETfibers using a styrene- dtex) using a styrene- butadiene binderbutadiene binder Distribution Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide Layerbleached cellulosic material bleached cellulosic material Absorbent Twononwoven layers and Two nonwoven layers and Core absorbent gellingmaterial absorbent gelling material disposed therebetween disposedtherebetween Odor 0.15 g of silica mixed with 0.15 g of silica mixedwith Management gelling material in the gelling material in theabsorbent core absorbent core No perfume/fragrance No perfume/fragranceBacksheet Polyolefin film Polyolefin film Outer Cover 27-30 gsm hybrid20-27 gsm air through Material nonwoven comprising a carded nonwovenspunbond layer and one or comprising polypropylene more carded layers,the fibers and 3 to 5 weight layers being integrated via percent cottonfibers hydroentangling, and the Nonwoven can optionally hybrid nonwovenbe apertured comprising polypropylene fibers and 15 weight percentcotton fibers Nonwoven can optionally be apertured

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be free of, ordevoid of, paraben, latex, perfumes, and/or fragrances. Adhesives usedin the absorbent articles may be free of, or devoid of, fluorescence.Inks used in the absorbent articles may be free of, or devoid of, greennumber 7 dye.

The first and second outermost layers (i.e., topsheet and outer covermaterial) of the absorbent articles disclosed herein may bethree-dimensional apertured materials, such as those disclosed in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0250662, published on Sep. 10,2015, to Olaf Erik Isele et al. Such a three-dimensional aperturedmaterial may form a topsheet and/or an outer cover material of anabsorbent article. In an outer cover context, the three-dimensionalmaterial may or may not be apertured.

The first and second outermost layers of the absorbent articlesdisclosed herein may be apertured materials, such as those disclosed inU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0136014, published on May19, 2016, to Kelyn Anne Arora et al. Such an apertured material may forma topsheet and/or an outer cover material of an absorbent article.

The first and/or second outmost layers of the absorbent articlesdisclosed herein may or may not comprise plant-based fibers. The firstand/or second outermost layers of the absorbent articles disclosedherein may or may not comprise cotton.

Cotton, natural fibers, and/or plant-based fibers may be included in anyof the layers of the absorbent articles, such as a core wrap, atopsheet, an outer cover material, a waist gasketing element, a leggasketing element, an acquisition material, a distribution material,front or back ears, belts, a landing zone, and/or other nonwovencomponents of an absorbent article.

The first and second outermost layers of the absorbent articlesdisclosed herein may comprise cotton, but may not comprise bio-basedcontent. One of the first and second outermost layers of the absorbentarticles disclosed herein may comprise cotton and be free of bio-basedcontent, while the other of the first and second outermost layers maycomprise bio-based content and cotton.

Topsheet Examples:

1. Bicomponent sheath/core fibers; Sheath: Bio Polyethylene 50% byweight of fibers; Core regular polypropylene 50% by weight of fibers;apertured topsheet

2. Bicomponent sheath/core fibers; Sheath: Bio Polyethylene 50% byweight of fibers; Core regular Polyethylene terphathalate 50% by weightof fibers; Three-dimensional, apertured topsheet

3. Bicomponent sheath/core fibers; Sheath: Bio Polyethylene 50% byweight of fibers; Core regular polypropylene 50% by weight of fibers; 5%cotton by weight; Apertured topsheet

4. Bicomponent sheath/core fibers; Sheath: Bio Polyethylene 50% byweight of fibers; Core Polylactic acid PLA 50% by weight of fibers;Apertured topsheet

5. Bicomponent sheath/core fibers; Sheath: Bio Polyethylene 50% byweight of fibers; Core Polylactic acid 50% by weight of fibers;Three-dimensional, apertured topsheet

Outer Cover Nonwoven Material Examples:

1. Polyethylene (10%)/Polypropylene (40%)/Polyethylene terphathalate(35%)/cotton (15%) with a total basis weight of 27 gsm.

2. 85% Bio Polylactic acid by weight and 15% cotton by weight

Combinations

-   -   A. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a first outermost layer for contact with a wearer's skin            or a caregiver's skin comprising a first type of plant-based            fibers that are harvested fibers and that are other than            wood pulp, wherein the harvested fibers optionally comprise            a post-harvest treatment; and        -   b. an opposing second outermost layer for contact with the            wearer's skin or the caregiver's skin comprising a second            type of plant-based fibers that are synthetic fibers;        -   c. wherein the first outermost layer bio-based content is            from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B;            and        -   d. wherein the second outermost layer bio-based content is            from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   B. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the first        outermost layer bio-based content is from about 10% to about 50%        using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   C. The absorbent article of paragraph B, wherein the second        outermost layer bio-based content is from about 10% to about 50%        using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   D. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the second        outermost layer bio-based content is from about 10% to about 50%        using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   E. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the first        outermost layer bio-based content is greater than that of the        second outermost layer.    -   F. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the second        outermost layer bio-based content is greater than that of the        first outermost layer.    -   G. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the first type        of plant-based fibers comprise harvested fibers.    -   H. The absorbent article of paragraph G, wherein the harvested        fibers comprise cotton fibers.    -   I. The absorbent article of paragraph H, wherein the cotton        fibers are bleached but are devoid of chlorine.    -   J. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the second type        of plant-based fibers comprises synthetic fibers.    -   K. The absorbent article of paragraph J, wherein the synthetic        fibers comprises bio-based polyethylene.    -   L. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein at least one of        the first outermost layer and the second outermost layer further        comprises petroleum-based synthetic fibers.    -   M. The absorbent article of paragraph L, wherein the        petroleum-based synthetic fibers are selected from the group        comprising polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyester        fibers, and combinations thereof.    -   N. The absorbent article of paragraph L, wherein the        petroleum-based synthetic fibers comprise non-phthalate catalyst        polypropylene fibers.    -   O. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the absorbent        article comprises a naturally-derived odor management material.    -   P. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the absorbent        article comprises a mineral-based odor management material.    -   Q. The absorbent article of paragraph P, wherein the        mineral-based odor management material is selected from the        group consisting of activated carbon, zeolites, silica, natural        extracts, and combinations thereof.    -   R. The absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the absorbent        article comprises absorbent gelling material having a bio-based        content of from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,        method B.    -   S. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a first outermost layer defined as an outer cover            nonwoven for contact with a caregiver, wherein the outer            cover nonwoven comprises a first type of plant-based fibers;            and        -   b. an opposing second outermost layer defined as a topsheet            for contact with a wearer's skin, wherein the topsheet            comprises a second type of plant-based fibers that are            different from the first type of plant-based fibers;        -   c. wherein the second outermost layer has a lower water            retention value than that of the first outermost layer;        -   d. wherein the first outermost layer bio-based content is            from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B;            and        -   e. wherein the second outermost layer bio-based content is            from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   T. The absorbent article of paragraph S, wherein the first        outermost layer bio-based content is from about 10% to about 50%        using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   U. The absorbent article of paragraph S, wherein the second        outermost layer bio-based content is from about 10% to about 50%        using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   V. The absorbent article of paragraph S, wherein the second        outermost layer bio-based content is from about 10% to about 50%        using ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   W. The absorbent article of paragraph S, wherein the absorbent        article comprises a naturally-derived odor management material.    -   X. The absorbent article of paragraph S, wherein the absorbent        article comprises a mineral-based odor management material.    -   Y. The absorbent article of paragraph X, wherein the        mineral-based odor management material is selected from the        group consisting of activated carbon, zeolites, silica, natural        extracts, and combinations thereof    -   Z. The absorbent article of paragraph S, wherein the absorbent        article comprises absorbent gelling material having a bio-based        content of from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,        method B.    -   AA. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a first outermost layer for contact with a wearer's skin            or a caregiver's skin, the first outermost layer comprising            a first nonwoven comprising plant-based fibers comprising            harvested fibers other than wood pulp; and        -   b. an opposing second outermost layer for contact with the            wearer's skin or the caregiver's skin, the second outermost            layer comprising a second nonwoven comprising plant-based            fiber comprising synthetic fibers;        -   c. wherein the first nonwoven is different from the second            nonwoven in at least one of basis weight, density,            composition, and structure.    -   BB. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the first        nonwoven has a greater basis weight than the nonwoven.    -   CC. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the first        nonwoven is different from the second nonwoven in both basis        weight and composition.    -   DD. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the first        nonwoven is different from the second nonwoven in basis weight,        composition, and structure.    -   EE. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the first        nonwoven has a different structure than the second nonwoven via        fiber-to-fiber bonding or entanglement.    -   FF. The absorbent article of paragraph EE, wherein the first        nonwoven is hydroentangled and the second nonwoven comprised        fiber-to-fiber thermal bonding.    -   GG. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the first        nonwoven bio-based content is from about 5% to about 50% using        ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   HH. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the second        nonwoven bio-based content is from about 5% to about 50% using        ASTM D6866-10, method B.    -   II. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the        plant-based synthetic fibers comprise bio-based polyolefin        fibers.    -   JJ. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the        plant-based harvested fibers comprise cotton fibers.    -   KK. The absorbent article of paragraph JJ, wherein the cotton        fibers are bleached but are devoid of chlorine.    -   LL. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-JJ,        further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the        first outermost layer and the second outermost layer, wherein        the intermediate layer comprises cellulosic materials that are        bleached but are devoid of chlorine.    -   MM. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-JJ,        further comprising an absorbent core disposed between the first        outermost layer and the second outermost layer, wherein the        absorbent core comprises 80%, by weight of the absorbent core,        of a particulate absorbent gelling material.    -   NN. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-MM,        wherein the absorbent article is devoid of perfume or fragrance.    -   OO. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-NN,        wherein the absorbent article is devoid of a lotion.    -   PP. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-OO,        wherein at least one of the first nonwoven and the second        nonwoven comprises non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers.    -   QQ. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-PP,        wherein each of the first nonwoven and the second nonwoven        further comprises petroleum-based fibers.    -   RR. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-QQ,        further comprising a mineral-based odor management material.    -   SS. The absorbent article of paragraph RR, wherein the odor        management material comprises a material selected from the group        consisting of activated carbon, zeolites, silica, natural        extracts, and combinations thereof.    -   TT. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-SS,        further comprising adhesive that is devoid of fluorescence.    -   UU. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs AA-TT,        further comprising ink that is devoid of green number 7 dye.    -   VV. The absorbent article of paragraph AA, wherein the absorbent        article comprises absorbent gelling material having a bio-based        content of from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,        method B.    -   WW. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a plurality of layers comprising a topsheet comprising a            nonwoven, a backsheet comprising a polymeric film, an outer            cover comprising a nonwoven disposed on the backsheet            polymeric film, an absorbent core, and            acquisition/distribution layer disposed between the topsheet            and the absorbent core;        -   b. at least one of the plurality of layers comprising            cellulosic materials, wherein the cellulosic materials are            bleached but are devoid of chlorine;        -   c. at least one of the plurality of layers comprising cotton            fibers; and        -   d. at least one of the plurality of layers comprising            bio-based synthetic fibers.    -   XX. The absorbent article of paragraph WW, wherein the bio-based        synthetic fibers are selected from the group comprising        polyester fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers,        polyolefin fibers, and combinations thereof.    -   YY. The absorbent article of paragraph WW, wherein the        cellulosic fibers that are bleached but are devoid of chlorine        are disposed within the acquisition/distribution layer.    -   ZZ. The absorbent article of paragraph WW, wherein the        cellulosic fibers that are bleached are devoid of chlorine are        not in the absorbent core.    -   AAA. The absorbent article of paragraph WW, wherein the cotton        fibers are bleached but are devoid of chlorine.    -   BBB. The absorbent article of paragraph WW, further comprising        an odor management material.    -   CCC. The absorbent article of paragraph BBB, wherein the odor        management material comprises a material selected from the group        consisting of activated carbon, zeolites, silica, natural        extracts, and combinations thereof    -   DDD. The absorbent article of paragraph WW, wherein the        absorbent article comprises absorbent gelling material having a        bio-based content of from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM        D6866-10, method B.    -   EEE. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a plurality of layers comprising a topsheet comprising a            nonwoven, a backsheet comprising a polymeric film, an outer            cover comprising a nonwoven disposed on the backsheet            polymeric film, an absorbent core, and            acquisition/distribution layer disposed between the topsheet            and the absorbent core;        -   b. at least one of the topsheet, the outer cover, and the            acquisition/distribution layer comprising cellulosic            materials, wherein the cellulosic materials are bleached but            are devoid of chlorine; and        -   c. at least one of the plurality of layers comprising cotton            fibers.    -   FFF. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a plurality of layers comprising a topsheet comprising a            nonwoven, a backsheet comprising a polymeric film, an outer            cover comprising a nonwoven disposed on the backsheet            polymeric film, an absorbent core, and            acquisition/distribution layer disposed between the topsheet            and the absorbent core;        -   b. at least one of the topsheet, the outer cover, and the            acquisition/distribution layer comprising cellulosic            materials, wherein the cellulosic materials are bleached but            are devoid of chlorine; and        -   c. at least one of the plurality of layers comprising            bio-based synthetic fibers.    -   GGG. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. a topsheet comprising plant-based synthetic fibers;        -   b. a backsheet outer cover material comprising plant-based            harvested fibers other than wood pulp;        -   c. a fibrous layer disposed between the topsheet and the            backsheet comprising bleached cellulosic materials;        -   d. wherein the absorbent article is free of at least one of            the following undesired features:            -   i. chlorine;            -   ii. perfume or fragrance;            -   iii. lotion;            -   iv. non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers;            -   v. adhesives having added florescence; and            -   vi. green number 7 dye.    -   HHH. The absorbent article of paragraph GGG, wherein the        absorbent article is free of at least two of the undesired        features.    -   III. The absorbent article of paragraph GGG, wherein the        absorbent article is free of at least three of the undesired        features.    -   JJJ. The absorbent article of paragraph GGG, wherein the        absorbent article is free of at least four of the undesired        features.    -   KKK. The absorbent article of paragraph GGG, wherein the        absorbent article is free of at least five of the undesired        features.    -   LLL. The absorbent article of paragraph GGG, wherein the        absorbent article is free of all of the undesired features.    -   MMM. The absorbent article of paragraph GGG, wherein the        absorbent article comprises absorbent gelling material having a        bio-based content of from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM        D6866-10, method B.    -   NNN. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. an absorbent core comprises absorbent material comprising            absorbent gelling material and optionally wood pulp; and        -   b. a plurality of additional layers comprising a topsheet            situated on one side of the absorbent core, a backsheet            situated on an opposite side of the absorbent core, and an            optional acquisition/distribution layer disposed between the            topsheet and the absorbent core;        -   c. wherein at least one of the plurality of additional            layers comprises bio-based content of from about 5% to about            100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; and        -   d. wherein the absorbent article comprises a            naturally-derived odor management material that is distinct            from the absorbent material.    -   OOO. The absorbent article of paragraph NNN, wherein the        naturally-derived odor management material is substantially        scent-free.    -   PPP. An absorbent article comprising:        -   a. an absorbent core comprises absorbent material comprising            absorbent gelling material and optionally wood pulp; and        -   b. a plurality of additional layers comprising a topsheet            situated on one side of the absorbent core, a backsheet            situated on an opposite side of the absorbent core, and an            optional acquisition/distribution layer disposed between the            topsheet and the absorbent core;        -   c. wherein at least one of the plurality of additional            layers comprises bio-based content of from about 5% to about            100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; and        -   d. wherein the absorbent article comprises a mineral-based            odor management material that is distinct from the absorbent            material.    -   QQQ. A package of absorbent articles comprising:        -   a. a package comprising a polymeric bag and an optional            carton surrounding at least a portion of the polymeric bag;        -   b. a plurality of absorbent articles disposed within the            polymeric bag;        -   c. wherein each of the absorbent articles comprises cotton            fibers, bleached cellulosic materials, plant-based synthetic            fibers, and an odor management material; and        -   d. wherein at least one of the polymeric bag and the            optional carton comprise communications that the absorbent            articles comprise cotton fibers, are devoid of chlorine, and            are devoid of fragrance or perfume.    -   RRR. The package of paragraph QQQ, wherein the polymeric bag        comprises a polymeric film comprising bio-based polyolefin.    -   SSS. The package of paragraph QQQ, wherein the communications        comprise the seal of cotton trademarked logo.    -   TTT. A package of absorbent articles comprising:        -   a. a package comprising a polymeric bag and an optional            carton surrounding at least a portion of the polymeric bag;        -   b. a plurality of absorbent articles disposed within the            polymeric bag, wherein each of the absorbent articles            comprises:            -   i. an absorbent core comprises absorbent material                comprising absorbent gelling material and optionally                wood pulp; and            -   ii. a plurality of additional layers comprising a                topsheet situated on one side of the absorbent core, a                backsheet situated on an opposite side of the absorbent                core, and an optional acquisition/distribution layer                disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core;            -   iii. wherein at least one of the plurality of additional                layers comprises bio-based content of from about 5% to                about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; and            -   iv. wherein the absorbent article comprises a                mineral-based odor management material that is distinct                from the absorbent material;        -   c. wherein each of the absorbent articles comprises cotton            fibers, bleached cellulosic materials, plant-based synthetic            fibers, and an odor management material; and        -   d. wherein at least one of the polymeric bag and the            optional carton comprise communications that the absorbent            articles are free of at least one of scent, fragrance,            perfume, and chlorine.            Test Methods: Basis Weight, Density and Water Retention

Measurements are conducted at 23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±2% relative humidity.All samples are conditioned at this environment for 2 hours prior totesting. Harvest the substrate/component/material of interest from anabsorbent article. From the longitudinal and lateral centerline of thesample, accurately cut a specimen of approximately 10 cm² to the nearest0.01 cm². Measure the mass of the specimen and record as the dry mass tothe nearest 0.0001 g. Basis weight is calculated from the measured mass(g) and area (m²) and recorded to the nearest 0.1 g/m² (gsm).

Caliper is measured using a digital caliper such as an Ono Sokki lineargauge sensor GS-503 capable of measuring thickness to ±0.001 mm. A 25.0mm±0.1 mm diameter circular foot which applies a pressure of 0.69kPa±0.01 kPa is used. The caliper anvil is larger than the foot. Theinstrument is calibrated per the manufactures specifications. With thefoot resting on the anvil, zero the digital caliper. Lift the caliperfoot and center the specimen under the foot. Gently lower the foot ontothe surface of the specimen at a rate of approximately 2 mm/s. Read andrecord to the nearest 0.01 mm.

Calculate the volume of the specimen using the measured area (cm²) andcaliper (cm), and record to the nearest 0.01 cm³. Density is calculatedby dividing the measured mass (g) by the measured volume (cm³). Recordto the nearest 0.01 g/cm³.

Take the specimen and submerge it in distilled water for 5.0±0.1 min.Remove the specimen from the water, carefully suspend the specimenvertically from its corner for 10±0.1 min to allow to drain. Measure themass of the specimen and record as the wet mass to the nearest 0.0001 g.Calculate the Water Retention as the difference between the wet mass anddry mass divided by the dry mass (g). Record to the nearest 0.01 g/g.

In like fashion, repeat the measurements for a total of 10 replicatespecimens, and report results as the arithmetic average for Basis Weight(g/m²), Density (g/cm³) and Water Retention (g/g).

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable absorbent article, comprising: afront waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposedbetween the front and back waist regions; a longitudinal axis and alateral axis; a front waist edge, a back waist edge, a first side edgeextending longitudinally and a second side edge extendinglongitudinally; a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and anabsorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a waistgasketing element comprising a proximal end edge, a distal end edge, afirst side edge, a second side edge, and an elastic material; and a leggasketing element comprising a proximal end edge, a distal end edge, afirst side edge and a second side edge, and an elastic material; whereinat least a portion of the waist gasketing element is adhesively attachedto the chassis, wherein at least a portion of the waist gasketingelement is mechanically attached to the chassis, and wherein the waistgasketing element comprises an adhesive zone, a first adhesive-freezone, and a second adhesive-free zone; wherein the first adhesive-freezone and the second adhesive-free zone each extend longitudinally fromthe distal end edge to the proximal end edge of the waist gasketingelement; wherein the adhesive zone extends laterally between the firstadhesive-free zone and the second adhesive-free zone, and extendslongitudinally from the distal end edge toward the proximal end edge ofthe waist gasketing element; and wherein a bio-based content of theabsorbent article is from 5% to 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. 2.The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the firstadhesive-free zone is disposed at and adjacent to the first side edge ofthe waist gasketing element and the second adhesive-free zone isdisposed at and adjacent to the second side edge of the waist gasketingelement.
 3. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2, wherein thewaist gasketing element comprises a third adhesive-free zone disposed atand adjacent to the proximal end edge of the waist gasketing element ata central region of the waist gasketing element, such that the proximalend edge of the waist gasketing element at the central region is notattached to the chassis.
 4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2,wherein the waist gasketing element comprises a third adhesive-free zonedisposed at and adjacent to the proximal end edge of the waist gasketingelement at a central region of the waist gasketing element, wherein theadhesive zone is disposed at and adjacent to the distal end edge of thewaist gasketing element and wherein the first adhesive-free zone and thesecond adhesive-free zone of the waist-gasketing element arenon-continuous.
 5. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, whereinfirst and second mechanical bonds attach the waist gasketing element tothe chassis.
 6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 5, wherein thefirst and second mechanical bonds overlap the first and secondadhesive-free zones, respectively.
 7. The disposable absorbent articleof claim 5, wherein the adhesive zone does not comprise the first andsecond mechanical bonds.
 8. The disposable absorbent article of claim 5,wherein the first and second mechanical bonds extend through the waistgasketing element, the leg gasketing element, the topsheet, and thebacksheet.
 9. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein thewaist gasketing element comprises a first nonwoven, a second nonwoven,and a film between the first and second nonwovens, and wherein the firstnonwoven is ultrasonically bonded to the second nonwoven.
 10. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the first and secondnonwovens are connected through the film.
 11. The disposable absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the waist gasketing element is a laminatecomprising a plurality of bond sites arranged in a pattern.
 12. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the pattern comprisesa non-linear arrangement of adjacent bond sites, wherein the pluralityof bond sites are arranged in a wavy pattern, wherein a wave of bonds inthe wavy pattern defines a wave amplitude, wherein consecutive bonds ina machine direction are separated by a bond distance, and wherein thewave amplitude is at least half of the bond distance.
 13. The disposableabsorbent article claim 1, wherein the bio-based content of theabsorbent article is from 10% to 50% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. 14.The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, comprising a topsheet or anouter cover material comprising plant-based fibers comprising harvestedfibers other than wood pulp.
 15. The disposable absorbent article ofclaim 1, comprising a topsheet or an outer cover material comprisingplant-based fibers comprising synthetic fibers.
 16. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is free ofchlorine, perfume, lotion, and non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene. 17.The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the waist gasketingelement comprises a wearer facing surface formed of cotton.
 18. Adisposable absorbent article, comprising: a front waist region, a backwaist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front and backwaist regions; a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a front waistedge, a back waist edge, a first side edge extending longitudinally anda second side edge extending longitudinally; a chassis comprising atopsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet; a waist gasketing element comprising aproximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge, a second sideedge, and an elastic material; and a leg gasketing element comprising aproximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge and a secondside edge, and an elastic material; wherein at least a portion of thewaist gasketing element is adhesively attached to the chassis andwherein at least a portion of the waist gasketing element ismechanically attached to the leg gasketing element, wherein the waistgasketing element comprises an adhesive zone, a first adhesive-freezone, and a second adhesive-free zone; wherein the first adhesive-freezone and the second adhesive-free zone each extend longitudinally fromthe distal end edge to the proximal end edge of the waist gasketingelement; wherein the adhesive zone extends laterally between the firstadhesive-free zone and the second adhesive-free zone, and extendslongitudinally from the distal end edge toward the proximal end edge ofthe waist gasketing element; and wherein the absorbent article is freeof chlorine, perfume, lotion, and non-phthalate catalyst polypropylene.19. The disposable absorbent article of claim 18, wherein at least aportion of the waist gasketing element is mechanically attached to thechassis.
 20. The disposable absorbent article of claim 18, wherein thefirst adhesive-free zone is disposed at and adjacent to the first sideedge of the waist gasketing element and the second adhesive-free zone isdisposed at and adjacent to the second side edge of the waist gasketingelement; and wherein the first adhesive-free zone and the secondadhesive-free zone of the waist-gasketing element are non-continuous.21. The disposable absorbent article of claim 20, wherein the waistgasketing element comprises a third adhesive-free zone disposed at andadjacent to the proximal end edge of the waist gasketing element at acentral region of the waist gasketing element, such that the proximalend edge of the waist gasketing element at the central region is notattached to the chassis.
 22. The disposable absorbent article of claim20, wherein the waist gasketing element comprises a third adhesive-freezone disposed at and adjacent to the proximal end edge of the waistgasketing element at a central region of the waist gasketing element,and wherein the adhesive zone is disposed at and adjacent to the distalend edge of the waist gasketing element.
 23. The disposable absorbentarticle claim 18, wherein a bio-based content of the absorbent articleis from 10% to 50% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.
 24. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 23, comprising a topsheet or an outer covermaterial comprising plant-based fibers comprising harvested fibers otherthan wood pulp.
 25. The disposable absorbent article of claim 23,comprising a topsheet or an outer cover material comprising plant-basedfibers comprising synthetic fibers.
 26. The absorbent article of claim23, comprising a mineral-based odor management material.
 27. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 23, wherein the waist gasketingelement comprises a wearer facing surface formed of cotton.